News & Updates
Holiday greetings from HSA
December 22, 2009
In past years, the Health Sciences Association has marked the holiday season with cards of thanks and greetings to activists, colleagues, supporters and suppliers. It was our way of thanking you for the work you do with us throughout the year.This year - as we have done in recent years - HSA instead made a financial contribution to Food Banks BC.
Coalition urges provincial government to implement Ombudsperson's recommendations on seniors' care
December 21, 2009
The BC Health Coalition is urging the provincial government to immediately implement recommendations regarding rights for seniors in residential care made by Kim Carter, the provincial Ombudsperson.
-Recent government announcements regarding changes to seniors care have not been encouraging. In fact, they move seniors care in the opposite direction with regressive user fee increases and no indication of any actual improvements to care," said Alice Edge, Co-Chair of the BC Health Coalition.
Employer-initiated contract talks in community social services collapse
December 21, 2009
Talks initiated by the Community Social Services Employer's Association aimed at reaching an early collective agreement ended late last week without any deal.
Employers offered no improvements to wages, sick leave, transportation allowance (mileage) and shift premiums. They refused to continue the current language on employment security and protection from contracting (continuity of service and employment memorandum ). They offered no significant improvements in collective agreement language, and nothing on job selection (Article 24).
Tentative agreement reached in community health bargaining
December 21, 2009
A settlement was achieved late in the day on Saturday, December 19 between the Community Bargaining Association and the Health Employers Association of B.C. (HEABC).
The CBA represents 10,000 workers delivering services in community health, including just over 600 HSA members.
Highlights of the tentative agreement are:
Workshop Reminder
December 17, 2009
There is still room available in the two-day OH&S Steward Training workshop on January 18 & 19, 2010 please register as soon as possible if you are interested in attending this workshop.
OH&S Steward Training: January 18 & 19, 2010
Eligible stewards should print a pre-registration form off the HSA website http://www.hsabc.org/ (go to Member Services, then Education) and return it to the HSA Office (Attention: Karin Herbert) as soon as possible. HSA will call you to confirm your registration.
HSA applauds Dietitians of Canada call for increased minimum wage
December 16, 2009
The Health Sciences Association of BC (HSA) welcomes this weeks call by the Dietitians of Canada for British Columbia to adopt a comprehensive poverty reduction plan that includes an increase to the minimum wage.
-As the Dietitians of Canada report The Cost of Eating in BC 2009 notes, too many British Columbians are living in poverty. Poverty is a key factor in poor nutrition and poor health outcomes," said HSA President Reid Johnson.
Community Bargaining Association heads into bargaining
December 16, 2009
HSAs negotiating team representing the unions health services and support (community subsector) workers will be at the bargaining table with the employer from December 14 to December 18.
The members are part of the multi-union Community Bargaining Association.
HSAs health services and support (community subsector) members set their bargaining priorities at a bargaining proposal meeting held November 16 in Richmond. Delegates to this meeting elected bargaining representatives, as follows:
Nominations open for Regional Director positions in Region 2, 4, 6, 8 & 10
December 14, 2009
This year, Regional Director elections will take place in Regions 2, 4, 6, 8, & 10. All HSA members in these regions are encouraged to put their name forward for these important positions.
Directors meet, on average, every six weeks and take an active leadership role in representing the union. They will receive wage replacement for the time they spend in official meetings at their own regular rate of pay. Part-time and casual members are reimbursed as if they were at work during the meetings they attend.
2010 HSA Convention to be held April 15-17 in Vancouver
December 14, 2009
The next HSA Annual Convention will take place April 15-17, 2010 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver in Vancouver.
All HSA members are welcome to attend and speak at the convention. However, only delegates have the right to vote.
For chapters with 49 or fewer members, the HSA chief steward is the sole delegate. If the chief steward is not attending convention, an alternate should be identified. Chapters with more than 49 members are entitled to one additional delegate for each additional 50 members or portion thereof.
...Therefore be it resolved
December 14, 2009
HSA members will soon be preparing for the 2010 HSA Convention, to be held April 15, 16, & 17, 2010 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.
Conventions are the unions annual meeting where chapters from around the province determine the future direction of the union. Policies, actions, constitutional amendments, structural changes are all discussed and debated at convention.