2009: News Archive

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.

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...

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...

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: Wage increases of 3% and 3% for some Licenced Practical Nurses, LPN supervisors...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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. Members who have...