All HSA members covered by the Health Science Professionals, Community Health, Community Social Services and Nurses Bargaining Associations are now entitled to a statutory holiday held annually on September 30.
 
This date marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a moment to commemorate the tragic legacy of residential schools in Canada. The establishment of the national holiday is in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, and was instituted by the federal government with legislation that passed in June.
 

Health Sciences Association of BC has contracted Viewpoints Research to conduct an on line survey to explore members' priorities and concerns as your union begins negotiations for your next contract. Viewpoints Research an industry leader with 30 years of experience conducting research for unions and other progressive organizations. Using an experienced third-party professional research firm for this membership survey ensures confidentiality and the highest quality of data.

CSSEA and the Community Social Services Bargaining Association of Unions (CSSBA) are pleased to announce that the Community Social Services Labour and Education Fund (LAEF) is now accepting applications for education and training funding. Details on the fund, eligibility criteria and application forms can be found on the new website: https://laef-bcgeu.nationbuilder.com/

Changes effective first pay period after April 1

Upcoming changes to classifications in the Health Science Professionals collective agreement will provide significant pay increases for some Early Child Educators and increased pay for more than 30 different health science professions when they work without general supervision.

As part of the 2019-2022 Health Science Professionals Provincial Agreement, a $10 million fund over three years was established to address decades-old inequities in job categories through restructuring of the classification system.

The following message is important information for all HSA members covered by the Community Social Services Collective Agreement.
 
CSSEA and CSSBA have agreed on the distribution of the April 1, 2021 Low Wage Redress (LWR), which will take effect on the first full pay period following April 1, 2021. Wage schedules outlining the new hourly wages are available on the HSA website.
 

HSA has received confirmation from the Ministry of Health that the Temporary Pandemic Pay will be paid out to Health Authority staff on October 9, 2020.
 
The $4 an hour payment applies both to regular and overtime hours worked by health care workers covered by the Health Science Professionals' Bargaining Association (HSPBA), Community Bargaining Association (CBA), and Nurses’ Bargaining Association (NBA) collective agreements for the period March 15 to July 4. Union dues are not payable on the Temporary Pandemic Pay earnings.
 

HSA’s Board of Directors has voted unanimously to waive the union’s policy on collecting union dues on all employment income to exclude employment income earned under the Temporary Pandemic Pay announced May 19.
 

**UPDATED MARCH 30 4 PM: WORKSITE PREFERENCE WEBSITE REOPENS TONIGHT 6-10 PM FOR EMPLOYEES WHO WERE UNABLE TO REGISTER OVER WEEKEND**

The Provincial Health Officer has ordered that movement between worksites by health care workers must be limited to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in the current pandemic.

To: HSA members working in community social services
From: HSA and Community Social Services Bargaining Associaton

On March 26, 2020 the BC Government used their extraordinary powers under the Emergency Program Act, to issue ministerial orders to ensure a coordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic across all levels of government.  These orders have direct implications for workers in the Community Social Services Sector. 

Starting the evening of March 26, Health Authority Employers have begun to survey employees about their child care needs starting next Monday, March 30. Check your employer email for details. To date, HSA is aware of processes in VIHA and PHSA. Contact your employer for details on how to register your child care needs.

Provincial Medical Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Minister of Health Adrian Dix recognize the need for health care and other front line workers to get to work to provide the services British Columbians depend on.