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.
Over the past 5 years, the BCNU leadership has taken an aggressive and adversarial approach that undermines the autonomy and professional integrity of HSA members in their workplaces and in their union. These actions have resulted in the expulsion of BCNU from the BC Federation of Labour, Canadian Labour Congress and other progressive bodies across Canada.
Confronted with increasing demand for member services, support for stewards facing growing caseloads and the mounting cost of defending members against hostile raids by the BC Nurses, delegates to HSA’s 45th annual convention voted overwhelmingly in favour of a small dues increase, the first in 19 years.
Val Avery, President, HSA
We often find our greatest strength when confronted by adversity.
As a physiotherapist, I have seen people discover incredible resources inside themselves, and use them to overcome great odds. And I think every one of us working with patients and clients have seen this time and again.
People are tough and adaptable. Organizations can be too – if they listen to and engage the people they represent.
HSA members in Region 8 have elected Kevin Towhey to serve a two-year term as their representative on the union’s Board of Directors. Towhey is a medical radiation technologist at Royal Inland Hospital.
This is Towhey’s first term on the union’s Board of Directors. He currently serves as the Chief Steward at Royal Inland Hospital.
The other candidate for the board position was Cherylee Hale, a cardiology technologist at Kelowna General Hospital.
HSA members in Region 6 have elected Nancy Hay to serve a two-year term as their representative on the union’s Board of Directors. Hay is a social worker at St. Paul’s and Lions Gate Hospitals.
This is Hay’s first term on the union’s Board of Directors. She currently serves as the Chief Steward at St. Paul’s Hospital.
The other candidate for the board position was Shirley Clarkson, a registered psychiatric nurse at St. Paul’s Hospital.
HSA members in Region 4 have re-elected Joseph Sebastian to serve another two-year term as their representative on the union’s Board of Directors. Sebastian is a medical radiation technologist at Vancouver Hospital.
Sebastian first joined the union’s Board of Directors in April 2014. He has served on the Occupational Health and Safety and Constitutional and Organization Policy committees, and has served as a steward at Vancouver Hospital.
The other candidate for the board position was Sarah Chapple, a social worker at Vancouver Hospital.
HSA members in Region 2 have re-elected Derrick Hoyt to serve another two-year term as their representative on the union’s Board of Directors. Hoyt is a pathologist’s assistant at Royal Jubilee Hospital.
Hoyt first joined the union’s board of directors in November 2013. He has served on the Constitutional and Organizational Policy Committee (COPS) and Committee for Equality and Social Action and Elections Committee. He is a former Chief Steward at Royal Jubilee Hospital.
In April 2015, at a workshop prior to HSA's last convention, Trina Nguyen heard something that startled her.
