Contract negotiations

This is an update for all BC Cancer Agency members with outstanding 37.5 hour work week grievances, and follows up on the bulletin we sent out to you on February 10. In February we told you that the employer was prepared to negotiate a resolution to the outstanding 37.5 hour grievances at the BC Cancer Agency, and that we were...

The 2014 – 2019 Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) contracts have been printed and are beginning to be distributed to members at worksites across the province. Employers are responsible for the distribution of the collective agreements to every employee. If you do not receive a copy of your collective agreement, please contact your Human Resources department to receive one...

The Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) and Health Employers' Association of BC (HEABC) have ratified the trust agreement that formally establishes the Joint Health Science Benefits Trust (JHSBT). The 2014-2019 HSPBA collective agreement included a Letter of Agreement committing the parties to establishing the joint trust for provision of health and welfare benefits. A joint trust is a self-funded...

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...

HSA REPORT, MARCH 2015 The 37.5 hour work week first took effect on September 1, 2013, and over the course of that fall HSA filed a significant number of grievances on behalf of members impacted by the implementation. In the 18 months since then, a lot has happened. The 37.5 hour work week was proposed by the Health Employers Association...

HSA REPORT, MARCH 2015 BY DENNIS BLATCHFORD, HSA PENSIONS AND BENEFITS ADVOCATE Can members expect to see changes in our health and welfare benefits through the new health and welfare trust? It would be good to have additional services like dietitians added to the extended health portion of the plan. We are far from a point where any changes to...

HSA REPORT, DECEMBER 2014 by Dennis Blatchford, Pensions and Benefits Advocate I'm advised by Pacific Blue Cross that fertility drugs are not covered under the new 50 per cent cost share arrangement for non-PharmaCare formulary medications. Why are these drugs not covered? The agreement on the 50/50 cost share on non-PharmaCare formulary medications did not sweep in classes of drugs...

HSA will be at the bargaining table May 15 to represent the interests of registered psychiatric nurses as the Nurses Bargaining Association kicks off contract talks. HSA will be represented at the table by Larry Bryan, an RPN at Haro Park Centre and a member of the Provincial Occupational Health, Safety and Violence Prevention Committee, and a member of the...

HSA, on behalf of the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA), recently met with employers March 10 to 12 to negotiate a resolution to the approximately 1500 grievances related to the 2013 transition to a 37.5 hour work week. Aided by veteran arbitrators Vince Ready and Corrine Bell, some progress was achieved. A ruling is expected shortly to address management's...

HSA REPORT, MARCH 2014 HSA members are increasingly looking to get their information in a digital format. Whether it's email, web sites or social media, members are using desktop computers, tablets and smartphones to keep informed. HSA is changing to meet these new needs, and starting with this issue all members will receive a digital edition of The Report by...