The Report

The Report: February / March 1999 vol.19 num.6 Heres how the unemployed paid down the federaldeficit by KEVIN HAYES Unemployment Insurance is at the heart of the Chrétiengovernments fiscal strategy. Cuts in UI benefits account for over half of thereduction in program expenditures since Paul Martins first budget in 1994. From deficit to surplusThere is no federal surplus if the...

The Report: January 1999 vol.19 num.5 by SARAH O'LEARY Can I be fired for being absent too often from work? If you are absent from work on a prolonged basis due to a chronic, long-term health problem, you are protected by the BC Human Rights Code. The Code imposes a duty on the part of the employer to seek some...

The Report: January 1999 vol.19 num.5 by RACHEL NOTLEY and CAROL RIVIERE HSA is assisting with a study of the effect of occupational chemicalexposure on the respiratory health of various groups of health care professionals. Thisstudy is being conducted by members of the Occupational and Environmental Lung DiseasesResearch Unit of the Department of Medicine, in conjunction with the Occupational HygieneProgramme...

The Report: January 1999 vol.19 num.5 The BC Business Summit has not delivered on its promise of new ideasfor reviving the BC economy, according to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. -All we have heard is a repeat of the same old ideas the businesslobby has been pushing for decades: lower taxes, cut regulations, privatize services, andrepeal labour and environmental...

The Report: January 1999 vol.19 num.5 Welcome to new members at the Central Okanagan Child Development Association HSA extends a warm welcome to 63 new members at the Central OkanaganChild Development Association in Kelowna. Our new members at COCDA include physiotherapists, occupationaltherapists, speech / language pathologists, infant development consultants, preschoolteachers, clerical workers, and supported child care workers. The employer at...

The Report: January 1999 vol.19 num.5 by JACKIE SPAIN About two years ago I was in the process of deciding whether I had theright skill set ... and indeed the determination, motivation and conviction ... tohold the position of HSA Regional Director for Region 9 (Kootenays). I was also at the point that I knew it was time to embark...

The Report: January 1999 vol.19 num.5 by CINDY STEWART The recent job action taken by HSA paramedical professionals clearlygave our bargaining team the momentum we needed to get a fair collective agreement. Byputting pressure on health employers, we were able to get the provincial governmentinvolved in our negotiations, forcing HEABC to address our issues seriously. But our job action strategy...

The Report: November / December 1998 vol.19 num.4 by SARAH O'LEARY Are all of my discussions with my HSA steward confidential? While conversations between you and your steward may not normally be considered privileged, any information which is exchanged between you or collected by the steward for the purposes of settlement negotiations will be considered privileged and will not need...

The Report: November / December 1998 vol.19 num.4 Welcome to new members at Future Focus HSA welcomes 26 new employees at Future Focus in Campbell River. FutureFocus is a private facility that delivers services at a group home and two day programsfor adults with mental disabilities. Most of our new members are community / residentialsupport workers. Bargaining will begin soon...

The Report: November / December 1998 vol.19 num.4 by MAUREEN ROSS Where were you on Sunday, October 4? I was in Kelowna, at the BC BreastCancer Foundations Run for the Cure, and much to my surprise, I was running. For the last two years HSA has been a sponsor of the Run for the Cure.In 1997 our convention passed a...