Issues, Campaigns and Government Relations

Generalvoting will be held on Wednesday, October 29 in 2 by-elections in theprovincial constituencies of Vancouver-Fairview and Vancouver-Burrard. Polls are open that day from 8:00 am to 8:00pm. HSA members who live in theseconstituencies are urged to vote in these critical by-elections. Section 74of the BC Election Act states thatemployees are entitled to 4 consecutive hours on October 29 for...

BC Health Coalition NOVEMBER 5, 2008 - FREE PUBLIC EVENT: Who's Minding the Store? The privatization of long-term care and what it means for care qualityWednesday Nov. 5th - 7-9 pmUnitarian Church - 949 W. 49th Avenue, Vancouver With speakers: Charlene Harrington, professor and researcher Dr. Margaret McGregor, family physician and health services researcher Lyne England, advocacy activist from VictoriaSponsored...

Oct. 22 marks the seventh annual day of appreciation for child care workers and early childhood educators Ottawa (17 Oct. 2008) ... The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is joining with Canadians across the country in acknowledging the contributions made by child care workers and early childhood educators in the development of children, families and communities. The...

On October 14, 2008 Canadians will head to the polls to elect a new federal government. The Members of Parliament we elect can have a huge impact on the health care and community social services that HSA members provide. HSA urges members to examine the positions of the parties on these issues, and to vote for candidates who will support...

Hundredsof HSA members across BC participated in the CIBC Run for the Cure, held SundayOctober 5. HSA is a gold-level sponsor. In Victoria, Leslie Connie (left,mammography technologist at CML Healthcare), Sharon Eggertson (centre,dietitian at Royal Jubilee Hospital), and Val Avery (right, physiotherapist andRegion 1 Director) volunteered for HSA's Run for the Cure team. For moreinformation on HSA's participation in the...

BC Health Coalition calls on British Columbians to reject BCAA queue jumping insurance and demand government action to enforce health care legislation.The BC Health Coalition is deeply disturbed by BCAAs recent announcement to begin offering insurance that will allow its members to jump the health care queue and obtain services at for-profit clinics. The actions of BCAA clearly contravene both...

HSA members who are running for office or working on campaigns in the provincial by-elections in Vancouver-Burrard and Vancouver-Fairview can apply to HSA for the following financial support from HSAs Political Action Fund: 1. Members who are candidates can apply for up to 20 days of wage replacement and/or up to $200 to cover approved personal expenses incurred to run...

The Report: October / November 2008 vol.29 num.4 by REID JOHNSON Gordon Campbell just wants you to shut up BC. That was the message unions delivered through advertising when the B.C. government introduced Bill 42, the election law that limits organizations' ability to comment on government's actions. -The legislation effectively muzzles discussion about the throne speech, the budget, and any...

'How many more people must die before the Harper government realizes that public health and safety must always transcend the boundaries of ideology?' James Clancy, National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) Each passing week since the deadly outbreak of listeriosis at a Maple Leaf Foods Inc. plant in Toronto brings more evidence of the Harper government's ineptitude in...

By Larry BrownNational Secretary-TreasurerNational Union of Public and General EmployeesCanadian governments have made our public health care and other social programs very vulnerable to attack by private for profit companies outside of Canada. They have done that by signing trade deals like the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Weve known that for years î º and for years weve...