With growing shortages of specialized health care professionals causing unsustainable workload issues and affecting the quality and timeliness of patient care in BC, Health Sciences Association welcomes a new provincial program to help MRI technologist students graduate earlier and enter the workforce sooner.
It has been just under two years since HSA completed an extensive survey of racialized members and their experiences of racism at work, the final results of which were released as the “Confronting Racism with Solidarity” report. The report “In Plain Sight” authored by Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond and her investigation into anti-Indigenous racism within BC’s health care system was released just a few months later.
Nearly 300 delegates from facilities across British Columbia attended HSA’s first in-person convention since 2019, debating resolutions on diverse issues and protesting to raise public awareness of shortage and workload issues. The event was held in Vancouver April 28-30.
Each year on April 28 we gather to recognize and grieve the people who have suffered workplace-related illness, injury, or death. Every single working person deserves to return home safe at the end of the day to their family and loved ones, but for too many workers, this is still not the case.
In a submission to the BC government’s official review of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Health Sciences Association of BC has urged the BC government to consider a number of recommendations related to improve infection control measures, workplace safety and professional shortages.
Tomorrow, join HSA president Kane Tse at the Hilton Metrotown Lockout Rally and help support women who have been locked out of their jobs for an entire year.
One year ago, management at the Metrotown Hilton fired 97 workers, and locked out the remaining employees. For over a year, these women have endured the loss of their jobs, and have worked together to call on management to end the lockout, and reinstate all employees. Now, they need our help.
In a welcome move for people who are struggling with low wages and high prices, the government of BC announced changes to make it easier for people to form a union.
“Single-step union certification” allows people a simple and effective way to form a union if at least 55% choose to do so. It addresses the difficulties that workers have experienced in organizing unions since the multi-stage system was imposed in 2001, and replaces it with a process that automatically certifies a union that achieves a majority of support.
Following a strong push by advocates for workers’ rights, including HSA, the BC government made changes to the Employment Standards Act effective Jan. 1, 2022 to provide five paid sick leave days for all working British Columbians.
A feature in the legislation, however, excluded some workers covered by collective agreements to the minimum entitlement.
The Community Bargaining Association (CBA) tabled proposals last week as talks began with the Health Employers’ Association of BC (HEABC).
At this point in time, we are pushing to achieve non-monetary priorities that members identified as important measures to address the recruitment and retention crisis in the sector.
The employer has recognized that we share some common goals. They are aware of the dire situation caused by short-staffing and made worse by the pandemic.
Almost 1700 HSA members have responded quickly to a short survey circulated by HSA over the last ten days, and the results indicate deepening concern about the impact of staffing shortages on both working conditions and patient safety.
Furthermore, there are ongoing concerns about access to N95 respirators and recent changes to infection control guidelines which increase risk of exposure to COVID-19 for both patients and health care workers.
