News & Updates

To ensure British Columbians have increased access to vital mental health supports during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Province has announced $5 million to expand existing mental health programs and services and launch new services to support British Columbians. “If you are feeling anxious, stressed, depressed or disconnected because of COVID-19, I want you to know that you are not alone,”...

To: All HSA members in the Community Bargaining Association (CBA) collective agreementFrom: HSA President Val AveryDate: April 8, 2020This is a difficult time for healthcare workers around the province and I wanted to take this opportunity to update members on what HSA and the Community Bargaining Association (CBA) have been doing on your behalf and clarify some common questions members...

I know that all of you are working tirelessly at jobs that have changed dramatically over the course of just a few weeks. As front line health care workers, you have the additional stresses of worrying about your personal health and safety, being separated from family, and not knowing where you may be redeployed to work. We have heard you...

Are you an essential health care worker in Greater Victoria? The United Way of Greater Victoria has teamed up with Accent Inns to provide free rooms for health care workers who need a place to stay. See the details here: https://uwgv.ca/news/show-your-local-love-to-our-frontline-service-supe…

HSA is gathering information from HSA OHS stewards and joint committee members about how the Joint Occupational Health and Safety committees are functioning at worksites during the current COVID-19 pandemic. WorkSafe BC has confirmed these committees must continue to function during the pandemic. Please take 2-3 minutes to complete the survey to inform how we can all work to ensure...

Coverage rules have changed in light of the COVID-19 pandemic The HBT team is working closely with Pacific Blue Cross to ensure employees have accessto Tele-Health and Virtual services to support ongoing care during COVID-19 social distancing initiatives. NEW FOR EMPLOYEES: Reimbursement for Tele-Physiotherapy and Tele-Chiropractic Treatment Reimbursement is available to ALL employees who receive benefits: Tele-Physiotherapy and Tele-Chiropractic treatments...

It's clear that Canadians believe more help is required to ensure no one goes without housing or is financially gutted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Research Co., on behalf of the Natonal Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), its Component, the BC Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) and North99, conducted its first poll on this subject...

The 2019-2022 Nurses’ Bargaining Association (NBA) Collective Agreement includes a provision (Article 60) that requires health authorities (HA) and Providence Health Care (PHC) to implement a direct patient care staffing assessment process. Implementation of this new contract language is intended to be a collaborative process, where local level managers and in-charge nurses determine immediate (short-term) staffing requirements. Over the last...

The “working short” premium, negotiated for nurses in the last round of bargaining, has been reworked in a deal between the BC Nurses Union and the employer to pay nurses a premium during the COVID-19 pandemic at least through to the end of April, if not longer. The working short premium was intended to be a penalty on employers who...

**UPDATED MARCH 30 4 PM: WORKSITE PREFERENCE WEBSITE REOPENS TONIGHT 6-10 PM FOR EMPLOYEES WHO WERE UNABLE TO REGISTER OVER WEEKEND** The Provincial Health Officer has ordered that movement between worksites by health care workers must be limited to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in the current pandemic. Over the weekend, thousands of employees were able to register their...