In spite of an agreement reached between HSA and other health care unions and the Ministry of Health last week, some members continue to get pressure to either produce evidence of vaccination against seasonal influenza, or wear a mask during the flu season, which was declared open December 1.

For members information, at the meeting held between the Ministry of Health, HSA, BCGEU and HEU November 30, the following agreement was reached:

While the policy remains on the books the mandatory provisions of it will not be enforced. This means:

The Report: December 2012 vol.33 num.4

IN AN IDEAL WORLD, STRIKES WOULD NOT BE NECESSARY.

Employees and employers would meet at the bargaining table, discuss bargaining proposals based upon reason, justice and mutual respect. They would use objective data and negotiate a settlement. In reality, that is often what happens. However, sometimes there are significantly different points of view about what is -reasonable," -just" and -objective." When that happens, settlements depend on strength and determination.

PROTECTING OUR PATIENTS

On the eve of the implementation of a new province-wide policy that threatened to fire health science professionals who refused to declare whether they had been vaccinated against seasonal flu, Health Sciences Association  has negotiated an agreement that sees the government back off on the policys punitive aspects.

The Community Bargaining Association (CBA) reviewed the employer's latest offer.  Although a wage increase is included in the offer, it is tied securely to a corresponding "offset" (cost savings) from the collective agreement.  The offset is matched by the employer to provide the wage increase.  There is no guarantee built into the proposal that the wage increase will not be eroded in the future by increases to the cost of the provisions where the 'savings' were proposed.

The Community Bargaining Association (CBA) has reviewed the employer's latest offer and has determined that there is no reason to return to the bargaining table at this time.

The Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) continues to hold the position that an increase in wages must be accompanied by an offset found within the collective agreement.

The Community Bargaining Association (CBA) ... representing 14,000 community health services and support workers ... met on October 18 to discuss next steps in trying to achieve a collective agreement with the Health Employers Association of British Columbia (HEABC).

No new bargaining dates have been set.

So far, significant progress has been made in resolving many of the non-monetary issues, including the renewal of many Memoranda of Understanding attached to the collective agreement, and improvements to the grievance and arbitration provisions.

Health Sciences Association, on behalf of the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA), is calling for the withdrawal of a province-wide policy that threatens to fire health science professionals who refuse to declare whether they have been vaccinated against seasonal flu.

Union members who work in Community Health Services and Support sector have voted 86 per cent in favour of job action.

HSA President Reid Johnson said this strong mandate is a clear message to employers. "Our members in community health help hold our communities together," he said. "It's time for the Health Employers' Association of BC and the BC government to recognize the invaluable services provided by these members, and to value the needs of their patients and clients."