The Report

The Report: December 2007 / January 2008 vol.28 num.6 by YUKIE KURAHASHI hen she answers the door to her suburban Victoria home, her facelights up. She seems just as shes always been: lively, with thatmischievous light in her eyes. But former HSA board member JennyRobertson is facing new challenges. An occupational therapist is just heading out the door, saying her...

The Report: December 2008 vol.29 num.5 by REID JOHNSON rganizing to Win. That was the theme of this years BC Federation of Labour convention held in Vancouver at the end of November. Much of the convention focused on the ways our labour movement is working to bring issues important to working people into our everyday interactions and discussions with our...

The Report: December 2008 vol.29 num.5 by YUKIE KURAHASHI hen the phone rings in the night, it might be the police. Or a social worker. Or the hospital where an abused woman has been admitted for treatment. -And a lot of times the women call themselves ... often just to talk," says Julie McKee, a night-time counsellor at Victoria Womens...

The Report: December 2008 vol.29 num.5 by BEV PAUSCHE lison -Ali" Gaul, a child life specialist and mother of two young children, ran for council in Esquimalt November 15, winning a spot on council to represent her community. On two of Novembers wettest days, Gaul was out door knocking in Esquimalt, surprising many residents with her determination and energy. -Lots...

The Report: December 2008 vol.29 num.5 I am a part-time dietitian working for the Northern Health Authority under the Health Science Professionals contract. My mother has passed away, and I need to travel to Ontario to be with my family and help with funeral arrangements. How much compassionate time am I allowed? Do I need to provide a death certificate...

The Report: December 2008 vol.29 num.5 by LAURA BUSHEIKIN onique had never had a serious injury before. Shed put herself through college by working as a food server, and although shed often ended up with sore feet and an ache in her lower back, shed been told that sort of thing was just part of the job. So when she...

The Report: October / November 2008 vol.29 num.4 by LAURA BUSHEIKIN n Uganda, there are no biomedical engineers. When medical equipment breaks, it is often just shoved into a storage room. Sometimes, even new, perfectly functioning medical equipment, donated by a well-meaning NGO or foreign government wanting to help this country recover from years of brutal dictatorship and repression, just...

The Report: October / November 2008 vol.29 num.4 What are the general guidelines you recommend for scheduling vacations? What happens if my vacation gets cancelled because of staff shortages? As vacation scheduling can be a very sensitive issue, both members and union stewards should be proactive and be aware of deadlines for vacation requests and approvals. Ask for notification of...

The Report: October / November 2008 vol.29 num.4 by REID JOHNSON Gordon Campbell just wants you to shut up BC. That was the message unions delivered through advertising when the B.C. government introduced Bill 42, the election law that limits organizations' ability to comment on government's actions. -The legislation effectively muzzles discussion about the throne speech, the budget, and any...

The Report: October / November 2008 vol.29 num.4 by CAROLE PEARSON 've had an amazing career," says Cathy Fix, an ultrasound supervisor for Providence Health in vancouver. -Ive been doing ultrasound for 25 years. Ive done sales, clinical applications, and some marketing. Ive done traveling with it. Ive been to places like Bangkok, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the States. For me...