Bulletins

Are you a registered psychiatric nurse with a disability date of April 1, 2012 or later? If you have applied for Long Term Disability benefits and are in the LTD waiting period or you are appealing a decision of the LTD carrier, you may be eligible for premium maintenance for Health and Welfare benefits (Medical, Extended Health, Dental, Group Life...

Community social service professionals represented by HSA are invited to participate in a joint multi-union bargaining association telephone town hall scheduled for next week. Telephone town hall meeting details: Thursday, March 21 at 7pm PST To join the call, simply answer your personal phone, and you will be connected. Please ensure HSA has your personal / home phone number by...

Further to the recently ratified collective agreement between the Health Science Professionals’ Bargaining Association and Health Employers’ Association of BC, the parties have agreed to move the effective date for full implementation of the Pharmacare tie-in to June 1, 2013. Further, the 90-day grace period will be extended to August 31, 2013. The BlueNet direct-pay card will also be implemented...

The B.C. Liberal government began debate last week on Bill 18, legislation that fundamentally alters bargaining in the health sector. In a brief opening to the debate in the B.C. legislature, health minister Margaret MacDiarmid claimed the legislation was in line with last year’s raid by the BC Nurses’ Union on Licenced Practical Nurses represented by HEU and other unions...

Representatives of the Community Social Services Bargaining Association met earlier this week to plan for upcoming ratification votes, which will be held between mid-March and the third week of April. A vote schedule, and a comprehensive report outlining the terms and conditions of the proposed collective agreement, will be made available to members later next week. In addition to producing...

On March 8, International Women's Day, people will join across the globe to celebrate the achievements of women and their contributions to a better world and a better society. This year, the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is celebrating the work of women activists in the campaign to tackle the income inequality crisis. Through the All Together...

Last call to apply for HSA support to work on the provincial election HSA members throughout the province who are running for office or working in the upcoming provincial election may apply to HSA for financial support from HSA’s Political Action Fund. 1. Members who are candidates may apply for up to 30 days of wage replacement and/or up to...

After a marathon bargaining session of 13 days, the multi-union Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA) has reached a tentative collective agreement with the employer. The two-year proposed agreement includes an across the board wage increase while protecting health and welfare benefits. Highlights include: A wage increase for all employees: 1.5% on April 1, 2013; 1.5% on January 1, 2014...

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...

There has been some progress at the bargaining table over the last week, and discussions continued through the weekend. The community social services bargaining committee hopes to reach a fair and reasonable agreement, including a wage increase. Your multi-union bargaining committee remains focused on the issues that were identified as priorities by our members. HSA will continue to provide updates...