HSA REPORT MAGAZINE, APRIL 2016

Val Avery, President, HSA

We often find our greatest strength when confronted by adversity.

As a physiotherapist, I have seen people discover incredible resources inside themselves, and use them to overcome great odds. And I think every one of us working with patients and clients have seen this time and again.

People are tough and adaptable. Organizations can be too – if they listen to and engage the people they represent.

HSA REPORT MAGAZINE, APRIL 2016

A CANCER CLUSTER IS FOUND

HSA members Katrina Hammer and Anne MacFarlane, and HEU member Patricia Schmidt, all worked in the laboratory at Mission Memorial Hospital. All three contracted breast cancer, and an investigation into the cancer identified there was a cancer cluster in the laboratory – where the incidence of breast cancer was eight times the rate of breast cancer in BC.

THEIR CLAIMS ARE DENIED

Uncertainty for HSA members working in PHSA labs has come to an end after protracted and thorough negotiations on a workplace restructuring plan that protects staff and ensures continued quality of patient care.
 
More than one year after PHSA served Section 54 notice related to an overhaul in the structure of Lower Mainland pathology and laboratory services, PHSA and HSPBA have finalized the bulk of the work required for the labour adjustment plan, with implementation by April 4, 2016.
 

HSA REPORT MAGAZINE, APRIL 2016

Report on B.C. Federation of Labour Lobby in Victoria March 7 and 8, 2016

BY ANNE DAVIS, DIRECTOR, REGION 1

The BC Federation of Labour's annual government lobby day was scheduled for International Women's Day this year. So it was decided that it should be carried out by the Women's Rights Committee.

HSA welcomes plans to invest in new and upgraded health care facilities and hopes to work with the provincial government on a plan to deal with the shortage of health science professionals needed to staff them.

The 23 recommendations made by the BC Legislature’s Committee on Children and Youth are critical to addressing the current crisis in mental health services for children and youth.

As a result of the Section 54 issued in February of 2015, the PHSA laboratory redesign will now be proceeding, starting with a Phase One job fair February 3 and 4, 2016.

If you are not available February 3 or 4 please ensure that you speak with PHSA redesign and your HSA LRO.

On January 25, 2016, PHSA issued a memo and a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document. In addition, a seniority list was posted.

HSA REPORT MAGAZINE, DECEMBER 2015

On October 19th, Canadians soundly rejected the Harper Conservatives' refusal to provide federal leadership on health care.

Instead, we elected a majority Liberal government which made important promises during the election campaign to improve Canada's public health care system.

With flu season around the corner, HSA members are reminded of the provincial influenza control policy in effect in BC.

In spite of changes in other provinces, the flu prevention policy in BC has not changed, and health care workers who choose not to be vaccinated have options available to them, including wearing a surgical mask.

Health care workers must report their vaccination status confidentially through an on-line form.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: