BY DENNIS BLATCHFORD
HSA PENSIONS AND BENEFITS ADVOCATE
I received HSA's recent clarification on payroll changes and the reference to members' long-term disability contributions now being directed to the new Joint Health Sciences Benefit Trust (JHSBT). Since the JHSBT is now receiving benefit contributions, I'm wondering what members might expect now.
HSA’s registered psychiatric nurses are reminded again that as a result of a settlement reached under the Nurses Bargaining Association, members may submit receipts for registration or renewal of their college fees as proof of eligibility for damages payment by the Nurses Bargaining Association. The damages that are being put toward the fees paid to the CRPNBC arise out of compensation paid by the employer for failure to implement the 2012 safe staffing provisions.
The BC Nurses' Union has withdrawn its application to raid registered psychiatric nurses working at Vernon Jubilee Hospital.
After RPN members of HSA had expressed a number of concerns about tactics being used by organizers from the Nurses' Union, HSA filed an unfair labour practice complaint with the BC Labour Relations Board. The LRB has ruled that the Nurses' Union is prohibited from making any further raid attempts at Vernon Jubilee Hospital for 22 months.
To celebrate Canadian Nursing Week, May 8 to 14, Health Sciences Association has partnered with the Canadian Mental Health Association to offer a new workshop specifically for HSA Registered Psychiatric Nurses.
Join us at the HSA head office in New Westminster, BC on Thursday, May 11 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm for this two-part workshop:
Working Together to Address Workplace Mental Health keynote and Awareness of Mental Health Workshop.
As the deadline for paying college registration fees approaches, HSA is advising RPN members to submit receipts for registration or renewal of their college fees as proof of eligibility for damages payment by the Nurses Bargaining Association. The damages that are being put toward the fees paid to the CRPNBC arise out of compensation paid by the employer for failure to implement the 2012 safe staffing provisions.
Starting with the first pay period after February 1, 2017, most HSA members can expect a pay increase of 0.35% over and above the 5.5% increase rolling out over the life of the current contract.
On Monday, the Vancouver Sun devoted front-page coverage to HSA's efforts to stop attacks on RPNs:
BY VAL AVERY, PRESIDENT, HSA
We're hearing a lot of interesting things from members like you.
Over the summer, HSA circulated several surveys and invited members to participate in focus groups. Each explored different challenges and opportunities facing our union, and we'll be following up this fall with additional surveys, worksite visits and the annual regional meetings. It's all part of our commitment to giving members a greater say and a bigger role in charting our course.
Your elected HSA representatives and staff have been hard at work since the union's 45th convention in May. The upcoming regional meetings will be a good opportunity to provide updates on that work, and a chance for stewards and other activists to connect and discuss the issues in your region.
In preparation for those meetings, please take a few minutes to review some of the important work HSA has been involved in.
