News & Updates

The Report: June / July 2007 vol.28 num.3 by LAURA BUSHEIKIN ntonieta Xavier wants to talk about her injured right hand. Not to complain, even though the doctors say it is permanently damaged. Nor to brag, even though she successfully persevered with a challenging WCB claim, eventually winning on an appeal. No, Xavier, a community mental health worker with the...

The Report: June / July 2007 vol.28 num.3by LAURA BUSHEIKIN ngela Bernaldez laughs good-naturedly when shes asked what, exactly,an orthoptist does. Clearly, she is used to meeting people who have noidea what this specialized profession is about.Bernaldez, who works at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, is one of approximately 150 orthoptists in Canada, and one of only two employed by...

The Report: June / July 2007 vol.28 num.3 by LAURA BUSHEIKIN s technology alters the shape of health care at an ever-quickeningpace, its not hard to overlook the moment when a skilled health carejob evolves into a fully-fledged health science profession.That moment happened long ago for cardiology technologists, says Jennifer Travers, a cardiology technologist at Powell River General Hospital. Travers...

The Report: June / July 2007 vol.28 num.3 I work at a hospital that is subject to flooding if the river risestoo high. My manager has told me that in the event of a flood, I may berelocated for my job. Can my employer do that? The River Forecast Centre of British Columbia has predicted thatspring runoff could be higher...

A recent Labour Relations Board (LRB) decision makes it more difficult for Community Living BC (CLBC) to dismantle the group home model and de-unionize the community living sub-sector community social services sector. On May 18 the LRB dismissed an application filed by CLBC requesting the LRB to issue a declaratory opinion on the definition of "family home provider" under the...

The BC Summer Institute for Union Women offers an intensive week of learning within a supportive environment where union women can develop skills as workers, activists and leaders. The Institute will be held at the University of Victoria in beautiful Victoria, BC. The Institute celebrates the solidarity of union women across boundaries of age, race and nation. It is designed...

The Vancouver Women's Health Collective will mark May 28, the International Day of Action for Women's Health, with a "Conversation on Women's Health." Participants will discuss women's health issues, including the determinants of health such as housing and livable incomes. The women-only event will be held at Heritage Hall (3102 Main St. Vancouver). The day begins at 9:45 a.m. and...

The final version of the 2006-2010 Collective Agreement between the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association and the Health Employers Association of B.C. has been delivered to employers throughout the province for distribution. Employers have accepted responsibility for distribution of the contract to members. If you have not yet received a copy of your collective agreement, please be in touch with...

A new research study at the University of British Columbia is looking for healthcare workers who have experienced a workplace injury or other incident resulting in acute pain and who have registered in a PEARS program within Fraser Health Authority or Vancouver Island Health Authority. Participants identities will be kept strictly confidential, and neither the participants employer nor any PEARS...

Dr. Jacky Davis, founder of the UK's Save our NHS. The BC Health Coalition, along with Canadian Doctors for Medicare, Oxfam and the Council of Canadians, today launched Friends of Medicare, a campaign to protect and improve public health care in B.C. -Were hearing from people throughout the province that what our health care system needs is positive, public solutions...