RPNS Nicole McIntosh and Genelle Sandberg were on hand to promote HSA's work.

HSA REPORT, JUNE 2014

HSA and its members played a big role in a recent event hosted by the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of BC.

HSA will be at the bargaining table May 15 to represent the interests of registered psychiatric nurses as the Nurses Bargaining Association kicks off contract talks.

HSA will be represented at the table by Larry Bryan, an RPN at Haro Park Centre and a member of the Provincial Occupational Health, Safety and Violence Prevention Committee, and a member of the Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum Working Group.

Also representing RPNs will be experienced negotiator Dani Demetlika, a senior labour relations officer at HSA.

The contract expired March 31.

Members are advised that Pacific Blue Cross will suspend its pay direct and online claim services for one week to allow for a major transition to an upgraded health and dental system.

The services will be suspended from March 27 to April 3, 2014.

HSA’s Registered Psychiatric Nurses are encouraged to apply for education funding to cover costs related to participation in the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of BC (CRPNBC) Annual Education Day scheduled for Friday, May 9 2014 in Coquitlam.

The education day – TRAUMA – It Affects Us All - focuses on providing valuable insights into the various forms of trauma.

For information about the agenda for the education day, see the poster here.

HSA REPORT, MARCH 2014

BY JEANNE MEYERS, LABOUR RELATIONS AND LEGAL SERVICES

As many members know, the process of transitioning to a 37.5 hour work week has been frustrating.

From the beginning, employers have misunderstood and misinterpreted the terms of the negotiated agreement. They have attempted to reduce hours of work, eliminate earned days off and even layoff members.

None of this is allowed by the agreement, which states that managers must work with staff in good faith to develop mutually-agreed schedules.

HSA REPORT, MARCH 2014

BY VAL AVERY, PRESIDENT, HEALTH SCIENCES ASSOCIATION

Negotiating contracts is a big part of what unions do for their members. But it's not the only thing.

Surrey Memorial Hospital RPNs Abi Ologani, Tanya Maksymiw and Amanda Farrand

HSA REPORT, MARCH 2014

A year ago, Tanya Maksymiw didn't know a lot about HSA.

In fact, the RPN didn't know a lot about any unions, despite belonging to one union or the other over the last 20 years.

And when HSA staff put on an information meeting on raiding at Surrey Memorial Hospital, she didn't go to get involved.

All HSA Registered Psychiatric Nurses are reminded that you will have until next Thursday, February 27, 2014 to file a grievance about lack of drug coverage. Decisions about grievance remedies will be made after February 27 once a full review of every individual grievance has been completed.

To file a grievance on your behalf HSA requires that you complete the following form:

83% of HSA RPNs reject raid campaign to date

Registered Psychiatric Nurses at Surrey Memorial Hospital and Abbotsford Regional Hospital have voted to stick with HSA despite an aggressive and well-funded raid campaign by the BC Nurses' Union and the Union of Psychiatric Nurses.