The Report

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...

The Report: April / May 2004 vol.25 num.2 he recently-created Canadian Health Professionals Secretariat (CHPS) held a highly successful two-day meeting in Ottawa at the end of February to plot strategy for tackling the many challenges health professionals across the country are expected to face this year. During the meeting the Secretariat welcomed three new independent unions as members: the...

The Report: April / May 2004 vol.25 num.2 by CINDY STEWART recent article in the Globe and Mail (April 7, 2004) is one of the most articulate and succinct defences of our public medicare system I have seen in the mainstream media. Gordon Guyatt, a professor in health sciences at McMaster University in Ontario, takes up a few column inches...

The Report: April / May 2004 vol.25 num.2 by RON OHMART ith contract negotiations in the health care sector getting their fair share of media and public interest in the past few months, there has been an increased awareness and curiosity about HSA’s major collective agreement, the Paramedical Professional Bargaining Association contract with the Health Employers Association of BC. The...

The Report: April / May 2004 vol.25 num.2 by JACKIE SPAIN hen we are angry as workers about what is happening in BC in the health care system and our society in general, we have to remember that we were the architects of our own destiny. The province had a democratic vote for the government of choice. The people voted...

The Report: April / May 2004 vol.25 num.2 by LEANNE WALSH My mother is very ill. I have heard that there is a new employment insurance paid leave for which I can apply so that I can take time off work to care for her. What are the details? There have been recent changes to the Employment Insurance Act. As...

The Report: April / May 2004 vol.25 num.2 by CAROLE PEARSON t’s a great profession,” says physiotherapist Amanda Bartlett about her job. “You get to work with so many wonderful people as your patients and you can see first hand the magnitude of the effect you can have on their lives.” Amanda Bartlett Physiotherapist Kelowna General Hospital (and beyond) Bartlett...

The Report: April / May 2004 vol.25 num.2 s is the case with many unions representing professional, public sector employees, HSA and its members have become more active in the political arena. As an organization, and as individuals, HSA members have become increasingly vocal about government decisions which affect their patients and clients, and which affect themselves as health care...

The Report: January / February 2004 vol.25 num.1 by COLLEEN FULLER and SETH KLEIN t hasnt been often that we at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives have found occasion to applaud the BC government for one of its new policies. But we did commend the government for Bill 92 ... The Medicare Protection Amendment Act. Now, sadly, after a...