Media Release

The Health Sciences Association of BC announced today a $10,000 donation to the Canadian Red Cross BC Forest Fire Fund, to support relief efforts in British Columbia's devastating forest fires."This has been a devastating month for hundreds of families across BC. The immediate danger and personal stress has taken a toll on whole communities - from residents and volunteers to...

A move by the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority to privatize thousands of surgical procedures has staggering implications for public health care, says a medicare advocacy organization.And the BC Health Coalition is calling on Health Services Minister Colin Hansen to order a stop to the health authority's plans to contract out publicly insured surgeries and hold public hearings on the government's...

The Health Sciences Association of BC (HSA) will kick off its 32nd annual convention Friday, April 11 at the Hilton Metrotown Hotel in Burnaby.HSA represents health science professionals providing diagnostic, rehabilitation and clinical services in the health care system. HSA also represents workers in community social services and community health care.More than 200 delegates will participate in the two-day convention...

Violations of workers' rights so flagrant, they warrant special attention from UN AgencyOttawa - The International Labour Organizations condemnation of the British Columbia Liberals is so sweeping that the United Nations body should visit the province and get a first hand look at how badly the province is violating UN standards, says Canadas second largest union and its BC components."The...

UN body condemns Campbell's Liberals for legislation trampling workers' rightsThe head of the province's labour movement today called on the BC Liberals to comply with international labour standards and stop violating the rights of thousands of public sector workers throughout British Columbia.After extensive investigation, the United Nations body charged with upholding labour standards has concluded that six laws enacted by...

New federal dollars welcome, but union will continue fighting for-profit careOTTAWA - Canada's second largest union warned today that Canada's First Ministers have only written the first prescription needed to protect and build the national Medicare system.James Clancy, president of the 325,000-member union, issued the warning after the Prime Minister and Premiers emerged from two days of behind closed door...

Globe and Mail ad argues that a contract-breaking B.C. premier can't be trusted with untied health dollarsShould strings be attached to increased federal health dollars to guarantee that provincial premiers like B.C's Gordon Campbell actually spend the money on health care?That's the question B.C.'s unions are asking in a Globe and Mail advertisement that runs across the country today as...

A coalition of social groups announced in Ottawa today that they will be taking the Chrétien government to court for its failure to comply with the Canada Health Act due to federal inaction in defending Canada's public health care systemThe Canadian Union of Public Employees, the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada, the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions, the...

Medicare advocates are calling on the BC government and the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority to hold immediate public hearings into their scheme to privatize the financing and operation of a new ambulatory care centre at Vancouver General Hospital.The BC Health Coalition is also challenging the health authority to release its business case for the $90 million public-private partnership so that...

A joint release from the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union, the B.C. Division of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, the Hospital Employees' Union (CUPE), and the Health Sciences Association.The women and men who care for society's most vulnerable citizens are urging the government's new trustee in the community social services sector to implement their outstanding wage increase."Residential care...