News & Updates
Men's program forced to scale back
December 30, 2012
Okanagan Sunday
After scratching together funding for its men's counselling program, the South Okanagan Victim Assistance Society (SOVAS) could be forced to cut its hours due to financial challenges.
For the past four years, Anne Reinders has been a counsellor for the program, which provides free counselling to men who have suffered emotional, physical or sexual abuse, either as children or as adults.
She said that since the inception of the program, SOVAS staff have recognized its need and has been committed to coming up with ways to fund the counselling program.
The golden rule for a healthy holiday
December 19, 2012
Dawson Creek Daily News
The holiday season can be a crazy and hectic time. Its also a time when eating healthy and exercising can sometime fall to the wayside.
However, there are things people can do to make sure that while they still enjoy the holiday season and all the treats that go with it, they can continue to make healthy choices.
Community Social Services: job action rolls out across Vancouver Island
December 18, 2012
In the largest job actions undertaken since rotating strikes began two months ago, community social services workers at more than 20 agencies rallied support for a fair deal throughout the week of December 10.
As job actions swept across the island ... from Campbell River to Parksville, Courtenay, Nanaimo, and Victoria ... striking workers from HSA, HEU, CUPE, and BCGEU were buoyed by the solidarity and support they received from trade unionists and the general public.
KEEPING TRACK; GOOD WORKS
December 17, 2012
Vancouver Sun
KUDOS CORPORATE GIVING
Van-Whole Produce raised $15,498 through sales of top sweet mandarin oranges this fall for the Canadian Cancer Society, BC & Yukon.
Donations of $10,000 each from Dr. Miriam Yu, and Mr. and Mrs. Sing and Patricia Yeo to Tapestry Foundation for Health Care helped launch Scotiabank Feast of Fortune supporting Rapid Access Breast Clinic at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital.
UNBC opens new physio lab
December 15, 2012
Prince George Citizen
Regan Daoust got to show off the brand new physiotherapy lab at UNBC to her fellow UBC master of physical therapy students on Friday.
Daoust, a second-year student and part of the northern and rural pilot project, demonstrated how the lab will be used as a training tool for students who come to Prince George for their placements.
Social-service workers walk off the job; One-day strike held to highlight staff who say they are among lowest paid public servants, despite caring for province's most vulnerable residents
December 14, 2012
Times Colonist (Victoria)
Workers who care for the disabled, counsel battered women and provide support to sexual-assault victims walked off the job at 13 agencies in Greater Victoria Thursday to push for higher wages.
It was the largest job action since 15,000 community social-service workers across the province began a series of rotating strikes Oct. 16.
The 10 unions that represent the workers say they are among the lowest paid in the public service, despite caring for the province's most vulnerable citizens.
Frequently Asked Questions about the government's last offer in health sciences professionals bargaining
December 14, 2012
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Scholarships and bursaries available for HSA members and their families
December 13, 2012
HSA is offering scholarships and bursaries to all members and their children. Ten scholarships will be awarded for full-time studies, twenty bursaries for full-time studies and four bursaries for part-time studies. Two aboriginal scholarships will be awarded to aboriginal students in BC.
The criteria and details are set out on the application forms (below).
Completed application forms and transcripts must be emailed to the HSA office no later than Friday, February 28, 2013.
Community social services: Thirteen in Victoria targeted for strike action on Thursday, December 13
December 13, 2012
Thursday saw the largest strike action undertaken by Community Social Services workers since they began rotating job actions almost two months ago.
Workers from thirteen agencies are off the job December 13, sending a strong message to government: stop putting vulnerable families last, and provide the resources needed to improve wages and working conditions.
A multi-union event took place from 10 am - 2 pm on Douglas Street at Centennial Square, where members served hot food and distributed warm clothing. Supporters joined them at noon.
Strike puts workers behind coats and coffee, not pickets
December 13, 2012
Nanaimo News Bulletin
Instead of picketing group homes, social services workers in Nanaimo opted to back their demand for better wages by giving away coats, blankets and coffee Thursday.
The job action happened at Diana Krall Plaza downtown, where Hospital Employees' Union and Health Sciences Association members gave away clothing, cookies, hot chocolate and coffee to people in need.