Issues, Campaigns and Government Relations

Ebola Backgrounder There has never been a case of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Canada. In areas where Ebola is present, the virus can spread through: contact with infected animals contact with blood, body fluids or tissues of infected persons contact with contaminated medical equipment such as needles As long as appropriate precautions are taken, there is low risk of...

THE REPORT, OCTOBER 2014 BY VAL AVERY, PRESIDENT, HSA In early September, HSA learned that the BC Nurses' Union planned to execute a swift takeover of the Union of Psychiatric Nurses before moving on to actively raid HSA's registered psychiatric nurses. This means BCNU organizers will be approaching HSA members at work – and likely at home – and trying...

HSA REPORT, OCTOBER 2014 BY CAROL RIVIERE 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. On November 15th, British Columbians will choose the people who will hold these positions throughout the province for the next...

HSA REPORT, OCTOBER 2014 BY CAROL RIVIERE DR. Brian Day's attempt to use the courts to bring US-style, TWO-tier health care to Canada was scheduled to go to trial on September 8. At his request, and with the agreement of the provincial government, the court recently postponed the trial for six months to give these parties an opportunity to settle...

HSA REPORT OCTOBER 2014 My name is Mike Pond. I'm five years sober this week and your union helped save my life. When I received my Masters in Social Work in 1995, I thought my days as a psychiatric nurse were behind me. But life has a way of throwing us curve balls. After two decades of successfully helping clients...

HSA President Val Avery at announcement with BC Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair and BCGEU President Stephanie Smith Health Sciences Association of BC has committed a $170,000 interest-free loan to the BC Teachers’ Federation to support teachers on strike for a better public education system for BC’s children. The loan is part of the $8 million pledged by BC’s...

Did you know that some health authority staff like youth counsellors are not allowed to text their patients? Is there any other way to communicate with a young person? That's just one of the eye-opening facts revealed by health science professionals working in BC's struggling mental health system. Hoping to make positive change and tell the story of from the...

Vancouver – A new Insights West poll commissioned by the B.C. Federation of Labour (BCFED) shows that parents support BC’s teachers 2-to-1 in the current dispute with the BC Liberal Government, and agree with teachers on key issues at the heart of the ongoing negotiations. “As we head into September, this poll clearly tells us that British Columbians are on...

BC leg of campaign on income inequality launches in Victoria Saturday After hugely successful tours in the Atlantic provinces, Ontario, and Manitoba, the National Union of Public and General Employees' Fairness Express is now rolling west making its way into British Columbia. Over the months of August and September, the big green buses will be reaching out to people about...

NUPGE’s “Fairness Express” bus will be touring BC from August 16 th to September 21 st. The Fairness Express is part of our National Union’s ongoing campaign to promote income equality, fair taxation, and the value of public services and unions. The Fairness Express will stop at community events and busy locations in more than 25 towns around the province...