2015: News Archive

HSA REPORT, MARCH 2015 BY DAVID DURNING, HSA OHS OFFICER Diagnostic Medical Sonographers – workers who specialize in the use of imaging devices to produce diagnostic images, scans and videos – have always been at risk for developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Those injuries include tendonitis, bursitis and muscle and nerve damage to hands, arms, elbows, shoulders, necks and backs. HSA...

HSA REPORT, MARCH 2015 BY VAL AVERY, HSA PRESIDENT Workload and stress are among the most serious workplace challenges of our time. As a union, we're seeing an increasing number of members, from all professions, paying a terrible price for this. Compromised performance, increased illness and disability wreak havoc on professionals, their families, and the health care system itself. We...

Stewards play a vital role in the union. Particularly important is the steward's role in contract interpretation, organizing and the grievance procedure. In recognition of the need for educating new stewards in these areas, HSA is offering 3-day Basic Steward Training workshops at the HSA office as follows: Dates:May 11 - 13, 2015June 1 - 3, 2015 Location: HSA Office...

HSA President Val Avery joined labour leaders at the BC Federation of Labour annual lobby of government decision-makers in Victoria yesterday. Avery met with Health Minister Terry Lake, qne other government and opposition MLAs. See the story from the BC Federation of Labour here: http://bcfed.ca/news/releases/bc-federation-labour-brings-good-jobs-mes…

Following a February 24 meeting and review of feedback from the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association, led by HSA, Provincial Health Services Authority has announced it intends to rethink the laboratory services redesign proposed earlier this month. On February 3, PHSA served section 54 notice that it intended to introduce a change to Lower Mainland pathology and laboratory services focusing...

Nominations for the position of representative to the HSA Board of Directors in Regions 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 closed Thursday February 19 with nominations submitted for one candidate in each of the regions. No elections will be required. Returning to the board are: Anne Davis, Region 1. Davis is a Program Coordinator at the Comox Valley Transition Society...

Earlier this month Provincial Health Services Authority served section 54 notice that it intends to introduce a change to Lower Mainland pathology and laboratory services focusing on employees who have been in supervisory roles such as section heads, technical coordinators and chiefs. HSA, on behalf of the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association, has delivered a three-level response: The Health Science...

The group of employers on the ILO’s Governing Body are attempting to overturn more than 50 years of international legal precedents that recognize the fundamental right to strike. Employers will profit mightily if they succeed, but at the expense of working and middle-class families and communities around the world. “Healthy unions do much more than simply ensure fair wages for...

After years of pushing the BC government to act, the BC Federation of Labour is pleased that the Minister of Labour has finally taken action on needed reforms to increase workplace safety and hold negligent employers accountable. Legislation was introduce February 10. “Increased enforcement and prosecution of negligent employers is fundamental to improving worker safety and compliance with the law,”...

Following up on the vote by delegates to the 2014 BC Federation of Labour convention, a campaign to raise the minimum wage to $15 and hour in BC is building momentum. A key component of the campaign is to hold monthly actions on the 15th of every month to advocate for the change. Increasing the minimum wage to $15/hour would...