News & Updates

The Report: July / August 1998 vol.19 num.1 Breast cancer is a serious illness that takes many lives, and HSAmembers treat the issue with the attention it deserves - so much so that for the secondyear running, delegates to the annual convention voted to spend $20,000 in union funds topromote the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundations Run for the Cure. The...

The Report: July / August 1998 vol.19 num.1 More than 250 delegates packed HSAs 27th Annual Convention May28-30, making it the largest on record and demonstrating the continued growth of theunion. Many were attending for the first time, representing workers in thehealth and social service sectors, and reflecting the unions successful organizingefforts. "From the new cancer centre in Kelowna to...

The Report: July / August 1998 vol.19 num.1 by DAN KEETON Raj Dhillon is what you might call the quintessential trade unionactivist, taking a leading role in two of the three unions in which he holds memberships. As an HSA member, Raj cares for people with severe mental and physicalhandicaps at Archway, a group home run by Peace Arch Community...

The Report: July / August 1998 vol.19 num.1 Effective January 1, 1998, Municipal Pension Plan members will bevested for all pensionable service ("fully vested") with two years ofcontributory service or five years of continuous employment, whichever comes first. Theywill be locked-in for post-1992 service only. This means, if a member is employed on or after January 1, 1998, themember is...

The Report: July / August 1998 vol.19 num.1 HSA members from CSSEA facilities held their first-ever bargainingproposal conference May 6 and 7 in Vancouver. The conference provided an opportunity forHSA members who work in the community social services sector to compare wage and benefitprovisions and develop proposals for group bargaining. "Weve had joint conferences for child development centresbefore but never...

The Report: July / August 1998 vol.19 num.1 A major hurdle at the paramedical professional bargainingtable is the issue of levelling. For months, members of the bargaining committee have beentrying to get the employer to address levelling issues left over from the 1996negotiations. "Its critical that the employer address the issue oflevelling in a meaningful way so we can move...

The Report: May / June 1998 vol.18 num.8 by DAN KEETON Okay, heres a test. How fast can you say histotechnologist? Forthat matter, do you know what it is? Its a health sciences profession, of course, and it involves thetesting of human tissue for signs of disease. Its also a word that has an aura ofaccomplishment and pride about it...

The Report: May / June 1998 vol.18 num.8 by SARAH O'LEARY My daughter has been gravely ill for many weeks, and she will continue to receive traumatic treatments for many more months. I am so worried for her that I find it almost impossible to perform my job duties. Can I apply to go on long-term disability during this period...

The Report: May / June 1998 vol.18 num.8 by DAN KEETON Workers hoping to collect maternity benefits face a threat from recentchanges to Employment Insurance - formerly, Unemployment Insurance. The changes might alsoadversely affect members applying for SUB benefits under the HEABC collective agreement,although a union committee is working to increase eligibility for SUB benefits. EI has made significant and...

The Report: May / June 1998 vol.18 num.8 by RACHEL NOTLEY April 15, 1998 was the culmination of over five years of work by labouractivists committed to improving health and safety for BC workers. Thats because thefirst major revision of BCs health and safety regulation since 1970 came into effecton that day and workers can now rely on the enhanced...