Bulletins

Union urges changes based on front line pandemic experience of members In a submission to the BC government’s official review of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Health Sciences Association of BC has urged the BC government to consider a number of recommendations related to improve infection control measures, workplace safety and professional shortages. HSA’s submission to the “COVID-19...

Race, Racism in Healthcare & Social Services:Building Anti-racist Care An HSA Virtual Diversity Workshop HSA is pleased to offer another opportunity to attend this two-day workshop virtually. Members are expected to attend the entirety of both days. DATES: June 21 & 22, 2022 TIME: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm LOCATION: Virtual – WebEx details to follow It will be led...

The Health Science Professional Bargaining Association (HSPBA), in talks this week with the Health Employers’ Association of BC (HEABC), has proposed a wage increase for health science professionals that, if accepted, would begin to address the critical issues undermining pandemic response and public health care in BC: chronic shortages, the rising cost of living, and the wage gap with other...

As news emerged today of an impasse in public sector bargaining between the provincial government and its direct employees over wages, the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) is preparing to table a wage proposal for health science professionals next week that addresses staff shortages, the rising cost of living, and closes the wage gap between BC and other provinces...

The Community Social Services bargaining committee is currently back at the table with the Community Social Services Employers’ Association (CSSEA) this week for scheduled negotiations until April 8 th. April 1 st, 2022, marked the expiry of the collective agreements for the General Services, Indigenous Services and Community Living Services. The collective agreement is a negotiated contract that spells out...

HSA’s Registered Psychiatric Nurses and Registered Nurses are again eligible for partial reimbursement of fees paid to the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM). The rate of reimbursement has been set at $215 per member. Please be advised that the deadline for licence renewals with the BCCNM is Thursday, March 31st at 4:30 p.m. You can make your payment...

Amendments to BC paid sick leave end exclusion of some union workers Following a strong push by advocates for workers’ rights, including HSA, the BC government made changes to the Employment Standards Act effective Jan. 1, 2022 to provide five paid sick leave days for all working British Columbians. A feature in the legislation, however, excluded some workers covered by...

This year, HSA will be offering a video stream of the proceedings of Convention 2022 to allow all HSA members the opportunity to tune in to observe registered delegates debate resolutions forwarded from HSA chapters across the province, and set the union’s course for the coming year at the union’s 51st annual convention being held April 28-30 at the Hyatt...

HSA members have elected Heath McLeod to serve a two-year term on the union’s board of directors representing Region 8, which includes a number of worksites in Kelowna, Kamloops, and Thompson-Okanagan. A diagnostic medical sonographer at Penticton Regional Hospital, he has been active as an HSA steward since 2010, including the past seven years as chief steward. He has represented...

HSA members have elected Alexandra Thomson to serve a two-year term on the union’s board of directors representing Region 4, which includes a number of worksites in the Lower Mainland including Vancouver, UBC, and Richmond Hospitals, GF Strong, and Dogwood Lodge. A neurophysiology technologist at Vancouver General Hospital, Thomson has been active in the union and served in various union...