Fair Pay Now

"I often feel undervalued because the wages I earn don’t reflect the importance of the work I do. Every day, I carry the responsibility of producing accurate results that doctors and patients rely on for life-changing decisions, yet I am constantly worrying about how to make ends meet. With the cost of housing, food, and everyday necessities climbing higher each month, my paycheque stretches less and less, leaving me with financial stress on top of an already demanding job."
HSA MEMBER

"The chronically high cost of living and inadequate pay has caused me to cut all possible corners and isn’t sustainable. Without adequate pay, my next option is to relocate out of province. Nice weather and beautiful natural areas are wonderful but don’t mean much when a person can’t afford to live."
HSA MEMBER

"I can barely afford to live in the city I work in. I am an educated health care professional. I should be able to afford a home, a vehicle, necessities, and leisure time with my wage. I should be able to save for retirement. I’m not."
HSA MEMBER

"The pay honestly makes it tough to cover rent and student loans, especially in the Lower Mainland, and with our department running short 2-3 staff most days, the caseload is just brutal. It's frustrating because I know we could be doing so much more if we had proper staffing levels."
HSA MEMBER

"The earning potential is much greater in my profession in private practice. If wages do not increase in public health, commensurate with the extremely high cost of living, I may be forced to quit my job in public health just to afford a reasonable quality of life for myself and my family. From a moral standpoint, I would struggle with this decision."
HSA MEMBER

There's no health care without specialized health care professionals

Everyone knows doctors and nurses are in dire shortage in today's strained health care system. But most people don't know that over 70 other specialized health professions are part of the health care team keeping you and your loved ones safe. 

Shortages of these professionals have been severe for years. Long hours and crushing workloads have become unhealthy and unsustainable, and now 1 in 3 of these professionals will be forced to quit. 

As the union representing these essential health care professionals delivering diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation, we're urging the government to pay fair wages so they can recruit and retain lab technologists, MRI and x-ray technologists, respiratory therapists, physiotherapists, radiation therapists, social workers, dietitians and many other specialized health professionals.

"I overwork myself with 55+ hours a week and three different jobs, which has majorly negatively impacted my mental health. I greatly struggle to make rent each month, pay off bills and pay for food and medications with the wage I currently have."
HSA MEMBER

"Being asked to provide above excellent patient care with minimal pay, no staff, increased patient work load, and no respect is leaving people feeling like they can find more fulfilling opportunities elsewhere."
HSA MEMBER

"The hardest part is knowing that what we do directly affects patients. My coworkers are dedicated, caring people who cannot stand to see patient care compromised, so they often take the burden on themselves, sacrificing their own well-being to protect patients."
HSA MEMBER

"Our pay is inadequate for the work we do, the responsibility we carry and the post-secondary education required for our jobs."
HSA MEMBER

"I work in acute care in a large hospital. We have not had our lines for my specific profession fully staffed in the 3 years I have worked here."
HSA MEMBER