2013 Convention: Delegates re-elect president, vow to protect and improve patient care

More than 300 HSA union activists welcomed delegates from new certification: Whistler Health Centre. "Welcome to the family!"

Delegates to HSA’s 42nd annual convention this weekend re-elected Reid Johnson as president, and debated resolutions that continue building the founding principles of the union.

In his report to delegates, President Reid Johnson called on activists to continue their determined efforts to fight off a raid by BCNU on HSA’s Registered Psychiatric Nurses. “We should be working together for better representation, better services, and a better future for us all – not reducing the labour movement to unions fighting each other in a race to the bottom,” he said. “Solidarity is about working together and making sure all our voices are heard.”

The more than 300 delegates voted overwhelmingly in favour of resolutions advocating for safer workloads, early intervention services for children, and adequate funding for seniors’ care.

HSA’s David Bland Memorial Award for advocacy in occupational health and safety was presented to Larry Bryan, a Registered Psychiatric Nurse at Haro Park in Vancouver. Bryan was recognized for his role on BC’s Provincial Violence Prevention Steering Committee, and for helping develop and implement a comprehensive, province-wide violence prevention strategy for health care worksites.

Pre-convention workshops this year included contract interpretation, public speaking, and building diversity in leadership (level 2). Delegates also took part in a special training session on negotiating and implementing the 37.5-hour workweek.

Delegates welcomed guest speakers: Mike Farnworth, a former Minister of Health and opposition health critic; James Clancy, President of the National Union of Public and General Employees; Jim Sinclair, President of the BC Federation of Labour; and Ron Stipp, from the Pacific Region of the Canadian Labour Congress.

HSA posted updates throughout convention on Facebook and Twitter (hashtag #HSA2013). For more information, including photos and quotes from guest speakers and committee presentations, see www.facebook.com/hsabc (you don’t need a Facebook account to view) or twitter.com/hsabc.

HSA’s 42nd Annual Convention was held April 18-20 at the Hotel Vancouver. Watch for full coverage in the upcoming issue of The Report.