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.
BY VAL AVERY, PRESIDENT
I am very proud of what we have achieved in the last 45 years.
I am especially proud of what we have been able to achieve in these last few years.
In the face of governments determined to squeeze our members for every penny, we have adapted, finding ways to achieve security in the face of sweeping change, wage growth in the face of austerity, and protection of hard-won benefits in the face of cuts.
As HSA adapts to a changing world and chooses to be a stronger, more innovative union, the Local Leadership Training program will provide members with cutting-edge training and professional skills to improve HSA workplaces, protect our professions and build a stronger union.
HSA members face increased pressure from governments and employers, attacks on our members' professional integrity from the leadership of the BCNU and health care funding cuts from our provincial and federal governments.
The outcome of the May 2017 provincial election will have a huge impact on HSA members, and the patients and clients we serve.
"HSA is a non-partisan union, and proudly so," says HSA President Val Avery.
"But that doesn't mean we won't warn our members –or the public – about dangerous, short-sighted policies proposed by governments of any stripe."
That's why HSA members may apply for support from HSA's Political Action Fund to work on election campaigns, attend election campaign training, or even run for political office.
