The Report

The Report: July / August 2004 vol.25 num.4 by CINDY STEWART ith the federal election behind us, the election of a minority Liberal government produces an interesting dynamic - one that presents a wonderful opportunity for HSA members to ensure issues important to you remain front and centre. During the election campaign, all the parties acknowledged that health care is...

The Report: July / August 2004 vol.25 num.4 by LEANNE M. WALSH I heard that there is a recent court case about discrimination against employees based on "family status." What are the issues? Why is this court case important? HSA recently won this precedent-setting case argued in the BC Court of Appeal by HSA's legal staff on behalf of an...

The Report: July / August 2004 vol.25 num.4 by CAROLE PEARSON rigid Kemp is proof that education is a life-long journey. Her early experience with education, as a child growing up in Edinburgh, Scotland, was the kind that drives people away from a love of learning. Corporal punishment was readily meted out. And she got her share. Brigid Kemp Older...

The Report: July / August 2004 vol.25 num.4 by CAROLE PEARSON luremi Ukpeh's first name means "one who gives comfort in times of distress." No wonder physiotherapy seemed like a good career choice. Oluremi Ukpeh Physiotherapist Steward, Royal Columbian Hospital Ukpeh is a physiotherapist in the critical care unit at New Westminster's Royal Columbian Hospital, and finds it rewarding to...

The Report: June 2004 vol.25 num.3 record number of members attended HSA’s 33rd annual convention, held April 23 and 24 in Burnaby. Delegates spent two days listening to reports and guest speakers, and vigorously debating resolutions to help determine the union’s course of action over the next year. Delegates spoke passionately about the devastating effects of the provincial Liberals’ cuts...

The Report: June 2004 vol.25 num.3 by CINDY STEWART ith less than a year left in the Liberal government’s mandate, we have come through a very turbulent period in labour relations in British Columbia. It started three years ago when the government legislated health science professionals back to work and then imposed a contract on HSA members. It continued with...

The Report: June 2004 vol.25 num.3 by BRUCE WILKINS A recent reorganization in my department has compounded what was already an acute workload problem. My coworkers are all on the verge of burnout. What should we do? As the demands on HSA members become greater due to staffing shortages and government cutbacks, the issue of workload has come to be...

The Report: June 2004 vol.25 num.3 by CAROLE PEARSON armela Vezza is a good person to have on your side. “I realized quite young,” she says, “that in order for people to get services they needed they had to have an advocate, somebody who could dig around and find out what was available and pursue it. I realized I was...

The Report: April / May 2004 vol.25 num.2 argaining between the Paramedical Professional Bargaining Association and Health Employers Association of BC was temporarily suspended in April after several bargaining sessions that started in late February. -It became clear to the two sides bargaining committees that while negotiations had been frank and cordial, the uncertainty in the broader health care labour...

The Report: April / May 2004 vol.25 num.2 by HANS BROWN hat happens when you train only 135 people to fill 298 positions? You get one big shortage and one big headache. What is respiratory therapy? For most people, breathing is as easy and natural as blinking. But for thousands of Canadians, breathing is a struggle. They might be accident...