Issues, Campaigns and Government Relations

Health science professionals have voted 83 per cent in favour of accepting a new contract that includes wage increases totaling three per cent, and protects the wages of hospital pharmacists who were threatened with wage rollbacks of up to 14 per cent. The agreement was reached between the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) and Health Employers’ Association of BC...

Last call to apply for HSA support to work on the provincial election HSA members throughout the province who are running for office or working in the upcoming provincial election may apply to HSA for financial support from HSA’s Political Action Fund. 1. Members who are candidates may apply for up to 30 days of wage replacement and/or up to...

After a marathon bargaining session of 13 days, the multi-union Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA) has reached a tentative collective agreement with the employer. The two-year proposed agreement includes an across the board wage increase while protecting health and welfare benefits. Highlights include: A wage increase for all employees: 1.5% on April 1, 2013; 1.5% on January 1, 2014...

The Canadian Cancer Society – UBC Cancer Prevention Centre invites HSA members to participate in this study: Are you a woman who works shifts? You may be eligible to participate in a sleep improvement program that may improve your quality of life, and help reduce breast cancer. Research has shown that women shift workers exposed to light at night are...

castanet.net The public is invited to disco dance for a good cause in Penticton on Thursday night. The South Okanagan Victim Assistance Society is holding SOVAS Goes Disco to benefit its financially challenged men's counselling program. “We are desperate for funding to keep this going,” said Amberlee Erdmann, resource development coordinator for SOVAS. “Our hope is the community comes together...

The bulk of savings announced in the Liberal government's last-ditch attempt to convince British Columbians they can present a balanced budget is coming out of the health care system, Finance Minister Mike de Jong said today in releasing the Liberal government's last budget before this spring's election. "If you reduce spending in health care, you reduce services to British Columbians...

Talks restart after two successful weeks of large-scale job action Last Friday, after two successful weeks of large-scale job action in community living and family services, the employer invited the multi-union bargaining association back to the bargaining table. The job action last week by nearly 3,400 community living workers affected the two largest community social service agencies in the province...

Nearly 500 family service workers across British Columbia are striking on Wednesday, February 6 and Thursday, February 7. Family service workers work with vulnerable families. They intervene when children or youth are at risk. They help with substance addictions. They work with teenage or single parents trying to make ends meet. They provide family counselling, vocational and life skills training...

Nearly 3,400 community living workers who support adults, children and infants with disabilities and their families are going on strike, starting Wednesday, January 30. The 24-hour job action will affect Richmond-based Developmental Disabilities Association (DDA) and Burnaby-based PosAbilities, the two largest community social service agencies in British Columbia. Agencies in Vancouver, Victoria, Prince George, Chilliwack, Coquitlam, Kamloops, Vanderhoof, Trail, Salmon...

Significant job action will take place in Community Living next week across British Columbia. The Community Social Services Bargaining Association is strategically escalating job action to continuepressuring the BC government. After nearly a year of bargaining, the employer - the Community SocialServices Employers Association - has not even made a monetary offer at the bargaining table. This is because of...