Throughout its history, RNUNL has achieved significant gains for its members through collective bargaining. Not only have wages increased dramatically, but registered nurses also now benefit from improved pension plans, health and disability benefits, family leave, maternity leave and a 37.5 hour work week.
Many collective agreements have been negotiated over the years with only three strikes: a rotating strike in 1977 and two provincial strikes in 1979 and 1999. In 2009, RNUNL was just two hours away from job action when a historic agreement was reached with the provincial government, proving the power that a strike mandate and a strike deadline can have for achieving membership priorities and moving government away from template bargaining.