Contract negotiations

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...

HSA REPORT, MARCH 2014 Ok, so we have a five year deal. How do you propose to take advantage of the break from bargaining? Despite the fact that we won't be at the bargaining table, we have some important work to do. The workloads for many professions are causing our members a lot of stress. And when people are under...

HSA REPORT, MARCH 2014 BY JEANNE MEYERS, LABOUR RELATIONS AND LEGAL SERVICES As many members know, the process of transitioning to a 37.5 hour work week has been frustrating. From the beginning, employers have misunderstood and misinterpreted the terms of the negotiated agreement. They have attempted to reduce hours of work, eliminate earned days off and even layoff members. None...

HSA REPORT, MARCH 2014 BY VAL AVERY, PRESIDENT, HEALTH SCIENCES ASSOCIATION Negotiating contracts is a big part of what unions do for their members. But it's not the only thing. Yet for the last several years, HSA and other unions have expended the bulk of their resources and time negotiating contracts with governments intent on imposing austerity terms on public...

HSA REPORT, MARCH 2014 BY DENNIS BLATCHFORD Q: Now that the collective agreement has been ratified, how will HSA go about moving to a joint governance model for delivering health and welfare benefits? And what does it mean in the short-term? A: Allow me to answer the second question first. It means no change to your health and welfare benefit...

Agreement includes wage adjustments and pay increases Community social service workers have voted by 85 per cent in favour of ratifying a new collective agreement that includes wage adjustments and increases of up to 11.5 percent over five years. The new collective agreement will be in effect from April 1, 2014 until March 31, 2019. Community Living workers ratified the...

Members of the multi-union Community Health Bargaining Association (CBA) – including almost 800 HSA members -- have voted 78.7% in favour of accepting a new collective agreement with the Health Employers’ Association of BC (HEABC). The five-year collective agreement expires on March 31, 2019 and covers over 15,000 union members working in community health across the province. “BC’s health care...