HSA welcomes today’s announcement that government will fund 37,000 more MRI scans in the public system during the coming year, compared to last year.  

BC has had the longest wait times for MRI in the country for several years, resulting in many patients paying for medically necessary scans at private clinics.  Some of these patients then use these scans to jump the queue to obtain surgery or other treatment in the public system, meaning those already on public wait lists for treatment wait longer.

HSA stewards are reminded that the deadline for receiving bargaining proposals from chapters is Friday, November 17, 2017.
 
If you have not yet scheduled a meeting to allow members to discuss and vote on proposals to be considered at the union’s Bargaining Proposal Conference in December, please schedule a meeting as soon as possible in order to be able to give members an opportunity to submit and vote on the priority for bargaining proposals.
 

Health science professionals at the Nanaimo Child Development Centre have voted by a strong majority to join the Health Sciences Association of BC (HSA). The union's 34 new members include health science professionals who deliver services in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech language pathology, infant development program, family development, Vancouver Island Children's Assessment Network, preschool, and supported child development.

HSA’s board of directors has set a plan to consult with members in advance of contract negotiations for health science professionals in 2018. Although the current HSPBA collective agreement is not due to expire until March 31, 2019, the union’s leadership wants to ensure members share their ideas on how to improve the strained health care system in British Columbia through innovative agreements with government and health care employers.
 

HSA REPORT MAGAZINE, JUNE 2017

BY LAURA BUSHEIKIN

When respiratory therapist John Hindle first got involved in HSA as a shop steward, his goal was fairly modest.

"I just wanted to help resolve some problems at my workplace," says Hindle. But once he started learning about union issues, Hindle wanted more.

HSA REPORT MAGAZINE, JUNE 2017

Recognition of diversity is now essential to the health of our society and the strength of organizations.

Today, leading institutions seek to understand the unique experience of their members in order to better represent and serve them.

HSA REPORT MAGAZINE, JUNE 2017

BY DENNIS BLATCHFORD
HSA PENSIONS AND BENEFITS ADVOCATE

I received HSA's recent clarification on payroll changes and the reference to members' long-term disability contributions now being directed to the new Joint Health Sciences Benefit Trust (JHSBT). Since the JHSBT is now receiving benefit contributions, I'm wondering what members might expect now.

April 1, 2017 marked the day that the new Joint Health Science Benefits Trust took over stewardship of members’ health and welfare benefits, including Long Term Disability. The move from an employer-controlled fund to a jointly trusteed fund with equal representation from unions and employers was negotiated in 2014 Health Science Professionals contract bargaining.