News & Updates

The Health Sciences Association of BC has donated $10,000 to Oxfam Canada's Tsunami Relief Fund to assist with relief efforts in the aftermath of the devastating tsunami that hit Southeast Asia on Boxing Day. The donation brings the total contribution of National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE)-affiliated unions across Canada to date to almost $150,000."This donation is being...

The Report: January / February 2005 vol.26 num.1 by LAURA BUSHEIKIN nita Bardal never saw herself as an activist. She considered herself more the quiet type, someone who stays out of the spotlight: a helper, rather than a fighter. So she was a bit surprised at herself when she became HSA Chief Steward for St. Pauls Hospital in 2001. Anita...

The Report: January / February 2005 vol.26 num.1 by RITU MAHIL Im a paramedical employee and have requested both Christmas and New Years Day off. I know that there is a casual employee willing to work those days for me. However, the employer is refusing to schedule her for either of those days. Is this permissible? No. The employer is...

The Report: January / February 2005 vol.26 num.1 by CINDY STEWART ith tax season just around the corner, many of us are thinking about RRSPs and other financial plans we should be making by the end of the fiscal year. Increasingly, as our membership ages, HSA members are focusing more on retirement planning. Those of us fortunate enough to have...

The Report: December 2004 vol.25 num.6 by LAURA BUSHEIKIN verything has been great ... Ive been lucky," says laboratory technologist Katie Fulop. It may come as a surprise to know that with these upbeat words she is describing her experience with breast cancer. Katie Fulop Medical Laboratory Technologist Chief Steward Mission Memorial Hospital -Ive kept a positive attitude, which is...

The Report: December 2004 vol.25 num.6 by LAURA BUSHEIKIN he phrase -the school of life" has an apt illustration in Charlie Wheat. In fact, unlike most residential care workers, Wheat did not need formal training at all to learn how to do his job, which entails providing care, on a myriad of levels, for mentally and physically disabled adults living...

The Report: December 2004 vol.25 num.6 What obligation is there on my employer to maintain a safe workplace? All workers have a right to a safe work environment. The Workers Compensation Act of BC requires employers to provide safe working environments for their employees. In addition, HSA has negotiated collective agreement language that defines the obligations of employers to maintain...

The Report: December 2004 vol.25 num.6 by CINDY STEWART fter seven years as a sponsor of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundations most important fundraising event ... the CIBC Run for the Cure ... HSA members have contributed more than $650,000 to the fight against breast cancer. This contribution represents HSAs annual $25,000 silver-level sponsorship of the Run, the fundraising of...

HSA - VCHA (Joint Bulletin) BL10015HSA and VCHA are pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached on a without prejudice basis, for a number of measures designed to mitigate the impact of laboratory restructuring. Restructuring will occur in the laboratories at Lions Gate Hospital, Richmond Hospital, Vancouver Hospital - 12th and Oak Pavilions, and Vancouver Hospital - UBC...

EB04-16 HSA is offering two 2-day basic OH&S steward workshops on: Workshop 1: January 31st and February 1st, 2005 Workshop 2: February 28th and March 1st, 2005 Occupational health and safety issues are very important to HSA members. OH&S stewards have a vital role in promoting a safe work environment and helping to prevent injuries. These workshops will be participatory...