Public health care is one of Canada’s greatest achievements. But our most-cherished social program is under threat.

Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid on Monday announced that new nursing legislation had been signed into law, bringing licensed practical nurses under the same bargaining structure as the B.C. Nurses’ Union.

Vancouver Sun 

By: Darryl Walker, Barry O'Neill and Bonnie Pearson And Reid Johnson

Penticton Herald 

More than 100 people didn't let a light rain dampen their enthusiasm for the proposed $300-million expansion of Penticton Regional Hospital.

The placard-waving crowd turned out for Wednesday's outdoor rally next to the hospital, reiterating previous calls for provincial government money for the project. Dozens of passing motorists honked their horns in support.

The rally followed the recent provincial budget, which contained no designated funding towards a new ambulatory care tower at PRH.

Times Colonist (Victoria) 

Workers who care for some of the province's most vulnerable citizens have reached a tentative two-year deal with the B.C. government.

The agreement calls for community social service workers to receive 1.5 per cent wage increases on April 1 and Jan. 1, 2014.

In response to one of the unions' key demands, entry-level workers will get an additional 1.5 per cent hike on April 1.

Union officials had complained that the starting wage in the sector had declined over the past decade to $15.54 an hour from $16.83 in 2002.

castanet.net 

The public is invited to disco dance for a good cause in Penticton on Thursday night. The South Okanagan Victim Assistance Society is holding SOVAS Goes Disco to benefit its financially challenged men's counselling program.

“We are desperate for funding to keep this going,” said Amberlee Erdmann, resource development coordinator for SOVAS. “Our hope is the community comes together to support our men's counselling program by having a fun night.”

Prince George Citizen

The tentative deal between the Health Sciences Association of BC and the provincial government is set to run until March 2014, an incorrect date appeared in a story in Friday's Citizen.

Also the union represents a number of medical professionals including lab and radiation technologists.

An incorrect description of their job title appeared in the story.

Richmond News 

Dozens of community social services workers, many from the Developmental Disabilities Association (DDA), went on a one-day strike Wednesday morning outside the DDA head office on Shell Road.

DDA executive director Alanna Hendren was present and spoke to media and workers about the starting wages that are $15.54 an hour, down from $16.83 in 2002.

"During a time when the cost of living has increased by 18 per cent, this has to change," said Hendren who added her and the board of directors have no input into pay levels.

New Westminster News Leader 

Health Sciences Association of British Columbia, a union with 16,000 members, will be the anchor tenant in the Brewery District's third building.

Wesgroup, the project's developer, has applied to the city for a development permit to build a two-storey 27,000 square foot building on the triangular slice of land where Brunette Avenue meets East Columbia Street.