2014: News Archive

HSA REPORT, DECEMBER 2014 by Dennis Blatchford, Pensions and Benefits Advocate I'm advised by Pacific Blue Cross that fertility drugs are not covered under the new 50 per cent cost share arrangement for non-PharmaCare formulary medications. Why are these drugs not covered? The agreement on the 50/50 cost share on non-PharmaCare formulary medications did not sweep in classes of drugs...

HSA REPORT, DECEMBER 2014 By David Durning, HSA Senior OHS Officer Are you concerned about health and safety in your workplace? Do you want to be directly involved in making your workplace safer for you and your co-workers? Do you want to participate in union and employer sponsored training to learn about making your workplace safer? If you answered yes...

Please make a note of our contact information effective Jan. 5, 2015: Health Sciences Association of BC 180 East Columbia Street New Westminster, BC V3L 0G7 New Phone: 604 517 0994 / toll free 800 663 2017New Fax: 604 515 8889 / toll free 800 663 6119

One of Canada's best labour schools, held at Harrison Hot Springs, in January and February 2015 The CLC Winter School offers a wide variety of week-long, quality labour oriented courses. To support HSA's ability to represent HSA members effectively and help build a stronger union, members can apply to take courses chosen to meet these objectives. HSA offers a number...

A vote has been ordered by the Labour Relations Board today at Chilliwack General Hospital. Please take the time to vote today to stay in HSA. HSA has fought for the recognition RPNs deserve in a specialized field. Without HSA at the bargaining table and fighting for the rights of RPNs, there would be fewer opportunities to do the work...

HSA members urged to vote in municipal election On Saturday November 15, 2014 British Columbians head to the polls to elect mayors, municipal councillors, school trustees, and regional district representatives. These local representatives play a critical role in making our communities places where we want to live, and serve as an important voice for our communities with higher levels of...

Violence in the workplace, workload, health and safety issues are just a few major challenges community social service workers face. Since 2008, the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) has recognized November 6 as Community Social Service Workers Appreciation Day. Now two provinces and over 125 communities across Canada also recognize November 6 as a day to show...

The Health Sciences Association of BC has joined the growing list of leading BC unions to endorse Irene Lanzinger for President of the BC Federation of Labour. "As secretary-treasurer of the BC Federation of Labour, Irene has demonstrated that she is a strong advocate for the services our members deliver in health care and social services," said HSA President Val...

HSA has contracted with Viewpoints Research to conduct a survey to find out more about how HSA members feel about how their union responds to concerns and communicates important information. Your feedback is important. Note that this is one of many opportunities allowing members to share their thoughts about strategic planning for the next few years. If you are contacted...

October 26 to November 1 is Respiratory Therapist week, and to celebrate, HSA has invited Lily Cheung, an RT at Vancouver General Hospital, to take over the HSA twitter feed for a week and post about daily life on the front lines of respiratory therapy. It's all part of HSA's work to promote the visibility and public awareness of our...