HSA in the news

Canadian Press Members of the BC Health Sciences Association say they will begin strike action this week after months of inaction at the bargaining table. Hospital pharmacists will reduce their work to essential services this Wednesday and, on Friday, medical imaging techs will do the same. Association president Reid Johnson says members are frustrated after eight months of negotiations with...

Canadian Press Negotiations resume today for members of the B-C Health Sciences Association who are planning job action at health care facilities later this week to press their contract demands. The action begins Thursday -- a day later than first planned -- when pharmacists go to essential service levels, followed by medical imaging techs on Friday. Association president Reid Johnson...

Harbour City Star By Darrell Bellaart Health officials have been told to address a shortage of specialists who help critically ill patients with breathing difficulties at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. WorkSafe B.C. ruled the Vancouver Island Health Authority must provide a plan to stop scheduling respiratory therapists to work shifts as long as 24 hours. A Work-Safe inspector toured NRGH...

Nanaimo News Bulletin The Health Sciences Association of B.C. wants Vancouver Island Health Authority to hire more respiratory therapists for Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. VIHA says it wants to raise staffing levels, but can't find people to fill the positions. "There have been times at Nanaimo where one respiratory therapist has been on for a 24-hour period," said Reid Johnson...

Cariboo Press / Vernon Morning Star Health science professionals have delivered a 90 per cent strike vote to back their bargaining committee in negotiations with B.C.'s health employers. "This strong vote sends a clear message to government and health authorities that it's time to come to the table and negotiate a fair and reasonable collective agreement," said Reid Johnson, president...

Kamloops Daily News Job action could be looming in the health-care sector after members of the Health Sciences Association voted 90 per cent in favour of a strike. Association president Reid Johnson said talks between the association and the province are tentatively expected to resume Thursday or Friday. "These are some of the smartest people in health care and we've...

Canadian Press Job action could be looming in the health care sector after members of the Health Sciences Association voted 90 per cent in favour of a strike. Association president Reid Johnson says his members are seeking a fair and reasonable wage increase and refuses to respond to requests for costing on budget-saving measures. Seventeen-thousand H-S-A members have been without...

Prince George Citizen A former city councillor is hoping to make the leap from municipal to provincial politics. Debora Munoz, who sat as a member of Prince George city council for two terms between 2005 and 2011, has joined the B.C. New Democratic Party nomination race for the Nechako Lakes riding. So far she stands against labour activist Sussanne Skidmore-Hewlett...

The Northerner A flu season begins, the recent decision to require health care workers to either take the vaccine or wear a mask is being challenged by the Health Sciences Association (HSA). The unpopular measure has divided medical professionals in the Peace Region. "We're being asked to put something in our body (and) we have no idea where it's coming...

Times Colonist (Victoria) Community service workers moved their rotating strike action to Victoria today, with pickets going up across the city. People who help adults with developmental disabilities, new immigrants and other vulnerable individuals are demanding higher wages and better working conditions. Community Living Victoria is behind picket lines set up by the Hospital Employees' Union at 3861 Cedar Hill...