Issues, Campaigns and Government Relations
Health Sciences Association, the union representing over 20,000 specialized health and community social service professionals in communities across BC, today welcomed new investments to rebuild a health care workforce depleted by three years of pandemic workload. “A crisis of serious proportions demands a serious response,” said Kane Tse, HSA President. “Today’s announcement of $995 million to support the provincial health...
Health Sciences Association is pleased to announce the formation of HSA’s first-ever Racial Justice Committee. The purpose of the Racial Justice Committee is to advance racial justice by addressing racism within health care and social services workplaces with a focus on addressing systemic issues. This work is a critical step in taking action on HSA’s principles in justice, equity, diversity...
Health Sciences Association of BC welcomes the BC government's decision to support the operations of Starbright Children's Development Centre with a new service agreement. Starbright was facing imminent closure after a pilot project on establishing centralized services for children and youth with special needs was awarded to another agency in January. "This is very good news," said HSA President Kane...
February is Black History Month. This month of observance is intended to highlight Black history, excellence, and joy, while also recognizing the ongoing systemic oppression and racism that Black individuals face. The brutal murder of Tyre Nichols by five police officers has once again brought to the forefront the ongoing anti-Black violence in our society. We recognize that events such...
The second HSA Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) report to members was released today. The union’s commitment to JEDI is essential to achieving HSA’s mission of being a collective voice, strategic priorities of service, engagement, rights, relationships, and resources, and finally, HSA’s vision of respectful workplaces. This report includes valuable updates on the work being done to establish the...
Statement issued by The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) Shortage of health care workers driving health crisis “Today, we are demanding the federal and provincial governments, make health care a greater priority by increasing its funding, by ensuring the money is used properly and by investing in the people who save lives every day. Combined, these things...
After many months of dialogue and deliberation by the Racial Justice Working Group, the Terms of Reference for the Racial Justice Committee has been approved by the Board of Directors. HSA would like to express deep gratitude to those who have participated in the creation of these Terms of Reference, the Racial Justice Working Group: Anita Bardal, Donna Barker, Sonia...
The Health Sciences Association of BC, representing over 20,000 specialized professionals working in health care and community social services, stands in solidarity with CUPE OBSCU workers who seek only fair pay for the hard work they do delivering critical work in Ontario’s schools. The Ontario government’s response to them – invoking a constitutional sledgehammer that blocks their right to act...
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR HSA MEMBERS AFFECTED BY THE ORDER HEABC has announced that a Provincial Health Officer order from April 2020 restricting health care workers from working at multiple sites will be lifted effective January 1, 2023. The order affects health care workers at long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities, and provincial mental health facilities, and had an impact on...
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR HSA MEMBERS AFFECTED BY THE ORDER HSA has learned that a Provincial Health Officer order from April 2020 restricting health care workers from working at multiple sites was lifted in Vancouver Coastal Health Authority by an exemption issued by the local Medical Health Officer on July 7, 2022. The employer failed to inform the union of the...