REPORT MAGAZINE, SEPTEMBER 2017

BY VAL AVERY, PRESIDENT, HSA

Months of uncertainty ended July 9.

That's when an historic agreement between the NDP and Green Party of BC created a governing coalition that could hold a majority of seats in the BC Legislature, and bring down the minority BC Liberal government that had been hanging on since the May election.

Years of indifference ended July 18. That's when Premier John Horgan and his cabinet was sworn in after 16 years of BC Liberal government.

REPORT MAGAZINE, SEPTEMBER 2017

BY CAROL RIVIERE, HSA COMMUNICATIONS

Choosing the politicians who govern our communities at the municipal or regional district level, and the school trustees who make decisions that affect our children's education, is a critical issue for working families.

Over the next few months, several communities around the province will hold by-elections to fill vacant positions, and in the fall of 2018 there will be local government elections around the province.

“The BC Federation of Labour believes strongly that human rights are workers’ rights, and that systemic discrimination of marginalized workers needs to be addressed at the highest level,” said Irene Lanzinger, President of the BC Federation of Labour.

see full release here:

http://bcfed.ca/news/releases/bcfed-welcomes-re-establishment-bc-human-r...

Members of CUPE Local 1816 have been involved in a lengthy labour dispute with Pacific Blue Cross over the company’s decision to claw back retiree benefits for current employees. PBC has refused to withdraw this serious concession and will not attend the bargaining table unless the union accepts the concession.
 
Since July 7, these workers have been locked out by the company. During this period, all benefit claims for PBC members have been processed by non-union exempt employees of Pacific Blue Cross.
 

HSA's Board and Directors has made a donation of $15,000 to the Canadian Red Cross to help support the thousands of British Columbians affected by the BC wildfires.

HSA REPORT MAGAZINE, JUNE 2017

Nobody can remember a provincial election like this one.

Most election results can be called about an hour after the polls close on election day. This one left people guessing for weeks.

And while the exceptionally close results mean it’s hard to predict what will happen in the longer term, the governing agreement between the NDP and the Greens holds significant promise for health care and community social services in BC.

HSA REPORT MAGAZINE, JUNE 2017

BC NDP Leader John Horgan pledged to fight for public servants during a speech to HSA convention delegates in May.

"The people in this room, and the people outside this room, who work every day for a living, have not had someone watching their back," said Horgan. "I will have your back, and I'll be fighting for you every step of the way."

HSA members are urged to vote in the provincial election.  The outcome of this election will have a profound effect on your working conditions, the health care and community services you provide, and other public services that your families, friends and communities rely on.
 
Several ways to vote
 
The last 2 days of Advance Voting are May 5 and 6 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (local time).
 

On Friday, April 28th, HSA President Val Avery will join leaders of the labour movement to honour workers killed or injured on the job with events across the country.

HSA members and their family and friends are invited to attend the Countdown to a Better BC with John Horgan rally this Sunday.
 
Date:   Sunday, April 23, 2017
 
Time:   3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
 
Place:  Commodore Ballroom - 868 Granville St, Vancouver