A new Enhanced Disability Management Program (EDMP) negotiated into the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association and Nurses' Bargaining Association contracts in the last round of bargaining comes into effect today.

The program replaces disability management programs previously run by individual health authorities.

Jointly developed with employers and other unions over several year, EDMP is an employee-centred, proactive, and customized disability management program for employees with occupational and non-occupational illnesses and injuries.

HSA has contracted with Viewpoints Research to conduct a survey of HSA members covered by the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association collective agreement about issues related to upcoming contract negotiations.

Your feedback is important and valuable to your bargaining committee. Note that this is one of many opportunities allowing members to share their thoughts about the upcoming bargaining, the most important of which is the upcoming bargaining proposal conference scheduled for November. Please contact your steward for more information.

HSA announces the second round for applications for professional development funding achieved in bargaining for the 2012-2014 HSPBA collective agreement is now open.

The $225,000 Professional Development Fund is accessible for all HSPBA members, including HSA members, over the term of the collective agreement.

THE REPORT: OCTOBER 2013

BY LAURA BUSHEIKIN

Ultrasound technologist Adesh Kahlon knew early on what career path she wanted. And when she got into that career, she knew, with equal clarity, that she wanted to be in a unionized workplace.

HSA has just launched a new TV ad, and it’s being broadcast all around the province for the next six weeks.

It’s our third original TV ad, all developed over the last four years as HSA’s long-term commitment to raising the profile of health science professionals and their vital role in modern health care.

Families and advocates for children with serious mental health challenges are speaking out against a month-long closure of the child psychiatry inpatient unit at BC Children’s Hospital.

The month-long closure from July 19 to August 19 is to allow for a redesign of the treatment model used at the unit. The program is being redesigned from a 24/7 inpatient program to a Monday to Friday day program. The redesign includes reducing the number of Youth and Family Counsellors (YFCs) from the health care team working with the children aged 5 to 12 years old and their families.

A policy grievance arbitration over the unprecedented Influenza Control Program Policy introduced by the Health Employers' Association of BC (HEABC) last August will open tomorrow in Vancouver.

THE REPORT: JULY 2013

Jade Shultis didn't have to work too hard to find her career path.

As a kid, she was fascinated by medical dramas on TV.

"My parents thought I was a bit crazy – an 11-year-old watching Trauma: Life in the E.R.," she says with a laugh. By the time she graduated from high school, Shultis knew not only that she wanted to work in health care, but that she wanted to become a respiratory therapist.

Health Science Professional members of HSA are reminded that changes to extended health benefits coverage took effect on June 1st with the implementation of PharmaCare Tie-In.  As part of these changes, all HSP members should by now have received a BlueNet card. The BlueNet card direct-pay of eligible prescriptions when picking them up at the pharmacy instead of paying up front then submitting receipts for reimbursement.
 

Under the terms of the new collective agreement, a further wage increase of 1 per cent for all members,  excluding pharmacists, is effective the first pay period after April 1, 2013, which is the pay period of April 12 to April 25, 2013.

Members are encouraged to check their pay stubs to ensure the increases are applied effective April 12, 2013.