News & Updates
$70 M budget lift needed immediately to stem community living crisis, halt growing safety risks and restore public confidence
September 1, 2011
The BC Community Living Action Group (BCâ€CLAG) strongly urges Premier Christy Clark to act immediately to approve $70 million in new provincial funding to stem the provinces growing community living crisis.
A BCâ€CLAG analysis of Community Living BC (CLBC) projections shows that at least $70 million is needed immediately to address the existing support backlog. Each year, hundreds of youths with developmentaldisabilities reach the age of 19 and turn to CLBC as they age out of supports funded by the Ministry for Children and Families.
Back to the table
September 1, 2011
The Report: September 2011 vol.32 num.3
AS THIS ISSUE OF THE REPORT WAS GOING TO PRINT, HSA members who work in the community social services sector were preparing to vote on a tentative agreement reached after almost two years at the bargaining table.
Farewell Jack
September 1, 2011
The Report: September 2011 vol.32 num.3
LIKE AN INCREDIBLE NUMBER OF CANADIANS, I felt a personal connection to Jack Layton.
Of course we could count on him to stand up for the things that matter to our membership and all Canadians. In 2005, in spite of helming a caucus far smaller than the breakthrough group elected just a few months ago, he cannily forced the Liberal government to divert $4.6 billion in funding towards much-needed investments in education, public transit and affordable housing.
Nadia Gale - Artist in the laboratory
September 1, 2011
The Report: September 2011 vol.32 num.3
NADIA GALE AND HER COLLEAGUES SEE THE PERSON BEHIND THE TISSUE SAMPLE
WHEN LABORATORY TECHNOLOGIST Nadia Gale heard shed won the Medical Technologist/ Technician Award for Continued Professional Development, conferred by the Canadian Association of Pathologists this spring, she was of course thrilled ... not just for herself, but for all laboratory technologists.
Violent incidents go underreported
September 1, 2011
The Report: September 2011 vol.32 num.3
SURVEY OF MEMBERS REVEAL SOME BELIEVE VIOLENCE IS PART OF THE JOB
BY MARTY LOVICK
-VIOLENCE", ACCORDING TO WORKSAFEBC regulation 4.27, is the attemped or actual exercise by a person, other than a worker, of any physical force so as to cause injury to a worker, and includes and threatening statements or behaviour which gives a worker reasonable cause to believe that he or she is at risk of injury.
Are you affected by helicopter fumes?
September 1, 2011
The Report: September 2011 vol.32 num.3
STUDIES NOT CONCLUSIVE BUT HSA MEMBERS REPORT VARIETY OF SYMPTOMS
BY MARTY LOVICK
EVERY DAY, HELICOPTERS TAKE OFF AND LAND at worksites staffed by HSA members. The helicopters are a vital means of transport for the most critically sick and injured, but they are also a source of fumes which may be making staff themselves sick.
The third thing
September 1, 2011
The Report: September 2011 vol.32 num.3
HSA PRESIDENT REID JOHNSON ON EFFORTS TO RAISE PROFILE FOR HEALTH SCIENCE PROFESSIONALS WORKING ALONGSIDE DOCTORS AND NURSES
The Report: HSA is launching two ad campaigns in September. Tell us about them.
Union 'shocked' by IHA's lack of consultation
August 31, 2011
Kamloops Daily News
By MIKE YOUDSDaily News Staff Reporter
The union representing lab services technicians is upset the Interior Health Authority has violated their collective agreement when the ink has barely dried.
But an official with the IHA insisted Tuesday the health authority did consult the Health Sciences Association in accordance with the union contract.
HSA condemns IHA flouting of collective agreement and Bill 29 in lab reorganization
August 29, 2011
The Health Sciences Association has learned that Interior Health Authority is planning a major reorganization of laboratory services in the region, and is condemning the Authoritys failure to consult the union when members jobs and service to patients are to be affected.
August 25, HSA learned that Interior Health Authority plans to reorganize laboratory services and that supervisory duties will potentially be stripped from long-service employees.
Meetings scheduled to hear your concerns about on call and call back
August 25, 2011
Members concerned about requirements for on call and call back work are encouraged to participate in a series of meetings in the Lower Mainland hosted by HSA over the next few weeks.
Many health science professionals have expressed concern that they have dangerously little rest between shifts because they are required to be on call and work call-backs. As part of the new collective agreement, the employer and unions have committed to a working group to review current practices and provide recommendations.