Health science professionals move rotating strike to Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley this Friday

Health science professionals will withdraw services to essential service levels in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley on Friday, June 1 from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. The walk-out will be marked with a rally at the Vancouver Art Gallery (Georgia Street side) at noon. About 8,800 health science professionals work in the region.

May 31, health science professionals will withdraw their services for the day in central and northern BC, affecting the Cariboo, North West, Peace Liard and Northern Interior health regions. A noon-hour rally will be held at Prince George city hall. About 800 health science professionals work in those health regions.

"Our job action this past two weeks has been designed to ensure the public, and the incoming government, understand that health science professionals are an essential part of the health care team," Health Sciences Association (HSA) President Cindy Stewart told striking members at a Victoria rally.

"Now its time for the employer and the government to take a look at the bargaining mandate and come back to the table with an offer that reflects our value, and an offer that addresses immediate and coming shortages in the health science professions," she said.

HSAs Rick Lampshire, chief negotiator for the health science professionals, said the competition for trained health science professionals does not come just from other public sector jurisdictions across Canada. Higher wages offered in the United States and private sector within the province in many professions are also a key factor in negotiating for competitive wage levels.

The Paramedical Bargaining Association represents 14,000 health science professionals in the Health Sciences Association, Canadian Union of Public Employees, BC Government and Services Employees Union, Professional Employees Association, and the Hospital Employees Union. The bargaining association represents professionals who work in about 100 different health science professions, including pharmacy, physical and occupational therapy, radiation therapy, x-ray technology, public health inspection and facility licensing.

For more information, contact:
Miriam Sobrino, Director of Communications
(604)439-0994 or 328-2886