News & Updates
HSA members invited to telephone town hall Thursday evening – June 25
June 24, 2020
HSA members are invited to join a live and interactive telephone town hall event tomorrow evening – Thursday, June 25 at 7:00 pm (PST).
This is an opportunity for the union to update members on important information regarding COVID-19 policies and practices that affect your work, to report on the union’s plans for the coming months, and for members to ask questions and share information.
HSA board of directors waives dues policy; union dues will not be paid on Temporary Pandemic Pay income
June 18, 2020
HSA’s Board of Directors has voted unanimously to waive the union’s policy on collecting union dues on all employment income to exclude employment income earned under the Temporary Pandemic Pay announced May 19.
PPE failure: warning to MRI technologists issued by health authorities
May 22, 2020
A serious occupational health and safety issue related to PPE in hospital magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) departments has been uncovered regarding the safety of certain masks and respirators in an MRI setting.
HSA has called on health authorities and the Provincial Occupational Health and Safety Committee to provide details on the steps underway to identify and remove any masks or respirators that may not be compatible in MRI departments, and to ensure they are not reintroduced into MRI departments.
BCFED Health & Safety Centre - FREE COVID-19 Webinars!
May 20, 2020
BC FED OHS Centre free webinars for OHS activist during COVID-19
The BCFED OH&S Centre has scheduled free COVID-19 related online webinars as follows:
OH&S Committee role during COVID-19 Tuesday May 26, 2020 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Important information for community social services workers re: Essential Services and Single Site Order
March 27, 2020
To: HSA members working in community social services From: HSA and Community Social Services Bargaining Associaton
On March 26, 2020 the BC Government used their extraordinary powers under the Emergency Program Act, to issue ministerial orders to ensure a coordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic across all levels of government. These orders have direct implications for workers in the Community Social Services Sector.
URGENT: Important information for HSA members working in long term care
March 27, 2020
TO: HSA members working in Long Term Care
In an effort to slow the transmission of COVID-19 in BC’s hard-hit Long Term Care facilities, BC’s Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, issued two province-wide orders aimed at restricting movement of health care staff between Long Term Care facilities. The orders went into effect yesterday, Thursday March 26, 2020
HSA nurses eligible for college fee reimbursement: Details on how to apply to HSA by July 31, 2020
March 9, 2020
As part of the new Nurses Bargaining Association 2019-2022 collective agreement, effective April 1, 2020, HSA registered psychiatric nurses are eligible for partial reimbursement of fees paid to the BC College of Nursing Professionals (BCCNP).
The rate of reimbursement has been set at $215 per member.
Upcoming HSA Workshops and Training: Basic Steward Training - June 1-3, 2020 & Supervisors in the Union - May 11-12, 2020
February 27, 2020
Upcoming HSA Workshops and Trainings: Basic Steward Training Supervisors in the Union
Mackenzie Counselling Services employees join HSA
February 7, 2020
Mackenzie Counselling Services (MCS) employees voted 100 per cent in favour of joining HSA.
HSA’s nine newest members work in reception, finance, counselling, supported child development, family support, and child and youth care roles. They serve the community of Mackenzie, a remote mill town located 185 km north of Prince George.
MCS employees join a growing wave of mental health care workers voting for union representation with HSA.
Mandi Ayers acclaimed as Region 10 representative on HSA Board of Directors
February 4, 2020
Mandi Ayers will return to represent HSA members in Region 10 on the HSA Board of Directors. Ayers was acclaimed after the deadline passed with no further nominations.
A medical laboratory technologist at Haida Gwaii Hospital, Ayers has served on the Board of Directors since April 2014 and has been involved in HSA her entire working career.
She has been active in HSA for her whole working career of more than 30 years and is currently the union’s Vice-President, Chair of the union’s Resolutions Committee, and member of the Women’s Committee.