To: HSA members working in community social services
From: HSA and Community Social Services Bargaining Associaton

On March 26, 2020 the BC Government used their extraordinary powers under the Emergency Program Act, to issue ministerial orders to ensure a coordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic across all levels of government.  These orders have direct implications for workers in the Community Social Services Sector. 

TO: HSA members working in Long Term Care

In an effort to slow the transmission of COVID-19 in BC’s hard-hit Long Term Care facilities, BC’s Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, issued two province-wide orders aimed at restricting movement of health care staff between Long Term Care facilities. The orders went into effect yesterday, Thursday March 26, 2020

As part of the new Nurses Bargaining Association 2019-2022 collective agreement, effective April 1, 2020, HSA registered psychiatric nurses are eligible for partial reimbursement of fees paid to the BC College of Nursing Professionals (BCCNP).

The rate of reimbursement has been set at $215 per member.

Upcoming HSA Workshops and Trainings: 
Basic Steward Training
Supervisors in the Union

Mackenzie Counselling Services (MCS) employees voted 100 per cent in favour of joining HSA.

HSA’s nine newest members work in reception, finance, counselling, supported child development, family support, and child and youth care roles. They serve the community of Mackenzie, a remote mill town located 185 km north of Prince George.

MCS employees join a growing wave of mental health care workers voting for union representation with HSA.

Mandi Ayers will return to represent HSA members in Region 10 on the HSA Board of Directors. Ayers was acclaimed after the deadline passed with no further nominations.

A medical laboratory technologist at Haida Gwaii Hospital, Ayers has served on the Board of Directors since April 2014 and has been involved in HSA her entire working career.  

She has been active in HSA for her whole working career of more than 30 years and is currently the union’s Vice-President, Chair of the union’s Resolutions Committee, and member of the Women’s Committee.

Cherylee Hylands will return to represent HSA members in Region 8 on the HSA Board of Directors. Hylands was acclaimed after the deadline passed with no further nominations.

Hylands is a cardiology technologist working at Penticton Regional Hospital and Kelowna General Hospital. She has served on the HSA Board of Directors since June 2018 and is currently a member of the union’s Committee on Equality and Social Action, and Education and Occupational Health and Safety Committees.
 
The two-year term expires at the conclusion of the 2022 HSA Convention.

Tara Chen will join the HSA Board of Directors to represent members in Region 6. Chen was acclaimed after the deadline for nomination for election to the board of directors passed with no further nominations.

Two candidates have been nominated to represent HSA members working in Region 4 on the union’s board of directors.
 
The two candidates in the election are Ella Chrobak and Joe Sebastian.
 
The successful candidate will assume the position of Regional Director for a two-year term at the conclusion of HSA's 2020 annual convention. Candidate statements will be included with voting information sent to members by email or postal mail.
 

Derrick Hoyt will return to represent HSA members in Region 2 on the HSA Board of Directors. Hoyt was acclaimed after the deadline passed with no further nominations.

A pathologist assistant, Hoyt has served on the Board of Directors since November 2013.