News & Updates

Larry Brown, President of the National Union of General and Public Employees (NUPGE) marked November 6, Community Social Service Workers' Day, with a call to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to increase support for community social services. "Governments have consistently underestimated the funding required to provide the support services and programs necessary to ensure people are able to lead lives filled...

The Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA) and the Community Social Services Employers’ Association (CSSEA) have published the 2019-2022 Community Living Services, General Services and Indigenous Services collective agreements which are now available at the updated links below: Community Living Services General Services Indigenous Services You can also find the agreements on the Fair Deal website at www.cssfairdeal.ca and on...

The Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) and Health Employers’ Association of BC (HEABC) have reached agreement on the details of the HSPBA wage rates negotiated for the 2019-2022 Health Science Professionals Collective Agreement. Wage schedules have been finalized and are now available for members’ information on the HSA website here. ( https://hsabc.org/collective-agreements/health-science-professionals) There are several professions-based wage schedules. Please...

One of Canada's best labour schools, held at Harrison Hot Springs, in January and February 2020. The CLC Winter School offers a wide variety of week-long, quality labour oriented courses. To support HSA's ability to represent HSA members effectively and help build a stronger union, members can apply to take courses chosen to meet these objectives. For dates and course...

This morning the BC government introduced Bill 41, the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. This bill requires all provincial laws to align with UNDRIP, and is an important and concrete step to implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) into a provincial legislative framework. Once passed, BC will be the first province...

PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE All workers have a right to a safe work environment. Unions have a significant role to play in ensuring that our workplaces are safe. Workplace violence can take the form of physical aggression such as hitting, biting or kicking. It also includes verbal threats, swearing, name-calling and bullying. Violence is not part of anyone’s...

The Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA) and the Community Social Services Employers’ Association (CSSEA) are pleased to announce that the Community Living Services, General Services and Indigenous Services collective agreements are now available. You can find the agreements on the Fair Deal website at www.cssfairdeal.ca and on the CSSEA website at www.cssea.bc.ca. You can also download your agreement from...

HSA Basic Steward/OH&S Training Dates 2020 Registration Information: Stewards may register by logging into My Events Registration. Workshops are listed under Steward Education events. Basic Steward Training (3 days) 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...

BC is failing workers experiencing domestic and sexual violence. Paid, job-protected leave from work is critical for employees experiencing violence who may need to relocate or seek community services, such as medical attention, legal services, or counselling. For workers experiencing trauma, it can be difficult to focus on work and perform job duties safely. We also know that the workplace...

Domestic violence and workplace safety: Why policy change is neededBy Samantha Ponting, HSA Communications When we talk about health and safety in the workplace, domestic violence issues rarely enter the discussion. Yet for someone who has been awake most of the night from duress, their ability to manage workplace risks and hazards can become a serious issue. “For those people...