A policy grievance arbitration over the unprecedented Influenza Control Program Policy introduced by the Health Employers' Association of BC (HEABC) last August will open tomorrow in Vancouver.

THE REPORT: JULY 2013

November 1 is the day new workplace rules regarding harassment and bullying come into effect in British Columbia.

This is the second part of a change in workers' compensation legislation brought about with the introduction of Bill 14 in 2011.

The first change dealt with the issue of compensation for mental disorders. Since July 1, 2012, an expanded definition states that a worker is entitled to compensation where a mental disorder is a reaction to:

In celebrating Nursing Week, HSA President Reid Johnson thanks Registered Psychiatric Nurses across the province for their expertise and dedication. "The theme of this year's Nursing Week is 'a leading force for change,' and BC's psych nurses are lighting the way," Johnson said.

"With their specialized intensive training, Registered Psychiatric Nurses have long been recognized as the caregivers of choice in mental health," he said.

On April 28, workers and their families are invited to pay tribute to those who have been injured or killed on the job, or stricken with occupational disease.

Every day in Canada, three workers are killed on the job and 685 workers suffer work-related injuries or occupational diseases. Last year in British Columbia, 181 workers died as a result of workplace accidents or diseases and more than 17,000 BC workers were injured.

More than 300 HSA union activists welcomed delegates from new certification: Whistler Health Centre. "Welcome to the family!"

The Canadian Cancer Society – UBC Cancer Prevention Centre invites HSA members to participate in this study:

Are you a woman who works shifts? You may be eligible to participate in a sleep improvement program that may improve your quality of life, and help reduce breast cancer. Research has shown that women shift workers exposed to light at night are at increased risk for breast cancer.

After almost a year of bargaining for a new contract, the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) has reached a tentative agreement for nearly 17,000 health science professionals working in hospitals and communities across British Columbia.

"In yet another very difficult bargaining climate, our priority was to achieve fair and reasonable wages for our members, and to continue to provide the quality health care services British Columbians rely on," said HSA President Reid Johnson.

Vancouver Sun

The Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, which advises people to stay home if they think they have the flu, has been told to stop punishing its own workers for calling in sick.

In response to a grievance launched last year by the Hospital Employees' Union and other health unions, arbitrator Vince Ready has ruled that the health authority must end the practice of denying overtime, reducing hours or threatening to fire workers for illness or injury.

Health care unions have won a significant victory protecting the rights of sick and injured workers who were being punished by Vancouver Coastal Health.

In 2005, David Bland -- a vocationalrehabilitation counsellor and HSA member from Richmond Mental Health -- wasmurdered at his workplace by a former client.  His tragic death served asa sombre reminder that more needs to be done to prevent incidents of violencein the workplace and to protect health care and social services workers on thejob.