News & Updates

Members at a number of affiliate employers under the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association, the Nurses Bargaining Association and the Community Bargaining Association collective agreements.will soon be participating in the Enhanced Disability Management Program. EDMP, which is already supporting thousands of HSA members working in health authorities, has a proven track record of helping members who are absent from work...

A Working Group established as part of the 2014-2019 Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association collective agreement has been working for the past year to take the steps required to establish a Joint Health Science Benefits Trust, which will be a jointly trusteed plan to administer members’ benefits.Under this plan, to be established by April 1, 2016, members’ benefits will be...

Members holding a Chief Medical Technologist position can now breathe a little easier, given PHSA's agreement to have a Chief Medical Technologist position at every facility within its Lower Mainland Pathology & Laboratory Services. PHSA intends to title the position "Site Supervisor". PHSA previously announced that certain positions would not be directly affected by its redesign plans, namely Grade I...

On March 31st, communities across the country are rallying to call for federal leadership on health care. Last year, the Federal Government let the Health Accord expire. Without an Accord, there is no agreement between Ottawa and the provinces to ensure equal access, proper funding, and high standards for health care in Canada. The provinces are asking for a new...

The employer cancelled this week's meeting due to illnesses. We expect to meet with them again shortly, and will keep you posted. Background In early February, PHSA served section 54 notice that it intended to introduce a change to Lower Mainland pathology and laboratory services focusing on employees who have been in supervisory roles such as section heads, technical coordinators...

HSA REPORT, MARCH 2015 What does your union do well? what do you think HSA needs to improve? what should it look like in 2020? In a contantly changing world, HSA needs to keep up. The bargaining landscape is more challenging. Members are dealing with more work and less time to be active in the union. External threats consume greater...

HSA Report, March 2015 The BC Federation of Labour is encouraging union members and all Metro Vancouver residents to vote yes in the upcoming spring transit referendum. "The Mayors' Council Transportation Plan will benefit transit users and drivers alike by reducing their travel time and overall congestion in the region," said Irene Lanzinger, President of the BC Federation of Labour...

HSA REPORT, MARCH 2015 BY CAROL RIVIERE, HSA COMMUNICATIONS The results of the 2015 federal election will have a critical impact on many issues, but none more so than health care. Canada's federal government was essential in establishing our public health care system. It continues to have a crucial leadership role to play in improving and expanding Medicare. Leadership is...

Pacific Blue Cross has circulated a bulletin explaining changes which may affect the Pharmacare coverage for some members. Please read the full memo to see if this affects you. The changes take effect April 1. You can contact Pacific Blue Cross with any questions at 604 419-2600 or 1-888-275-4672 (toll-free).

HSA REPORT, MARCH 2015 BY LAURA BUSHEIKIN For many cancer patients, getting enough to eat is a challenge. At a time when being well-nourished is so essential, they face an array of challenging symptoms – mouth sores, taste changes, changes in saliva, nausea, vomiting, swallowing problems, constipation, and more, all potential side-effects of chemotherapy and radiation. And certain cancers, in...