Health Sciences Association is conducting a ratification vote by HSA's Registered Psychiatric Nurses on the tentative agreement reached between the Nurses' Bargaining Association and HEABC.

HSA's board of directors urges HSA registered psychiatric nurses to vote "no" to the tentative agreement, as it introduces an element of two-tiered benefits, opening the door to an erosion of benefits for all nurses in the future. See the information package here.

Important information meetings about the tentative agreement reached between the Nurses Bargaining Association and Health Employers' Association of BC are being held as follows:

HSA's board of directors urges HSA registered psychiatric nurses to vote "no" to the tentative agreement, as it introduces an element of two-tiered benefits, opening the door to an erosion of benefits for all nurses in the future.

HSAs registered psychiatric nurses, covered by the Nurses Bargaining Association collective agreement, are invited to participate in one of two telephone town hall meetings scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday October 10.

To join the call, simply answer the phone, and you will be connected. Please ensure HSA has your personal / home phone number by emailing your full name and contact info to memberlist@hsabc.org ... or you can sign in at www.hsabc.org and update your information by logging in.

Highlights: Nurses Bargaining Association tentative agreement

Provisions to address workload issues come at the expense of BCs future nurses, and thats too high a price to pay, says HSA president Reid Johnson.

The unions board of directors is recommending HSA members, registered psychiatric nurses covered by the Nurses Bargaining Association (NBA) collective agreement, vote -NO" to the tentative collective agreement reached last week between the NBA and Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC).

The Nurses Bargaining Association has reached a tentative agreement with health employers on a new provincial contract that addresses members key concerns ... providing safe patient care and addressing workload through safe staffing, enhancing job security and improving compensation.

The tentative deal was reached in a very tough fiscal climate, with the provincial government insisting on its cooperative gains mandate for public sector bargaining. Negotiations began last February and continued until yesterday.

Negotiators for the Nurses Bargaining Association (BC Nurses Union, Health Sciences Association, Union of Psychiatric Nurses) have been working hard to achieve a new provincial contract that addresses members top priorities - improving patient care and patient safety through safe staffing and job security.

The current bargaining session, which began on August 17, was scheduled to end  August 31. Instead, bargaining carried on through the Labour Day weekend, and continues this week.

BCs Provincial Health Officer Perry Kendall yesterday announced new measures for influenza prevention among health care workers and patients.

Negotiations continue at the Health Science Professionals, Nursing, Community Health, and Community Social Services bargaining tables, but there is limited progress to report.