News & Updates
New professional development fund for HSA registered psychiatric nurses
April 19, 2013
HSA announced today the establishment of a $120,000 Professional Development Fund accessible to all registered psychiatric nurses who are members of HSA.
The funds, achieved through collective bargaining, may be used to cover professional development courses and events. HSA will cover the cost of tuition, registration fees, books and related expenses to a maximum of $500. Application deadline is December 31, 2013.
Agreement reached on process to implement 37.5 hour work week
April 17, 2013
The spirit of the negotiated agreement surrounding the change from a 36-hour to a 37.5-hour work week was confirmed this week as the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) and Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) reached agreement on a process to implement the 37.5 hour work week agreed to in the recently ratified collective agreement.
Registered psychiatric nurses: Wage increase now in effect
April 11, 2013
A 3% wage increase is now in effect for registered psychiatric nurses covered by the Nurses’ Bargaining Association provincial contract.
You can see your new wage rate here.
HSPBA will fight health authority’s attempt to break contract agreement
April 5, 2013
In a recent letter from human resources managers at Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, employees have been told they will be moving to a five-day 7.5 hour work week and that nine-day fortnights and EDOs will be eradicated.
The letter completely misrepresents the negotiated agreement reached on the shift to a 37.5 hour work week from the current 36 hour work week worked by health science professionals, says HSA’s Executive Director of Legal and Labour Relations Jeanne Meyers.
Provisions of new HSPBA collective agreement now in force and effect
April 5, 2013
With the exception of some portions of the collective agreement ratified March 6, all provisions of the HSPBA collective agreement come into force and effect today, April 5, 2013.
There are some exceptions, as specified in negotiations, as follows:
Wages
Professional development fund for HSPBA members: applications now available
April 5, 2013
The 2012-2014 HSPBA collective agreement includes a new $225,000 Professional Development Fund for use by all HSPBA members, including HSA members, over the term of the collective agreement.
To maximize the number of members eligible to apply for the funding, there will be two deadlines: One for courses commenced between April 1, 2013 and September 30, 2013 and another for courses commenced between October 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014.
Kimball Finigan reelected as Region 5 director on HSA board
April 3, 2013
HSA members in Region 5 have re-elected Kimball Finigan to serve a fourth term as their representative on the union’s Board of Directors. Finigan is a radiation therapist at the BC Cancer Agency in Vancouver.
May 14 provincial election: Vote to protect health and social services
April 2, 2013
HSA members are urged to vote in the provincial election. The outcome of this election will have a profound effect on the health care and community services our members provide, as well as other public services that our families, friends and communities rely on.
Eligible voters may vote on the general voting day: May 14, 2013.
March 21: International Day for the Elimination of Racism
March 21, 2013
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, celebrated every year on March 21, was established to commemorate the day in 1960 when police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against the apartheid "pass laws" in Sharpeville, South Africa. Proclaiming the Day in 1966, the United Nations General Assembly called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination. (Resolution 2142 (XXI))
Federal budget puts short-term political interest ahead of long-term public interest
March 21, 2013
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is concerned that the federal government is missing an opportunity to respond to Canada's underlying economic problems by continuing its hands-off, short-term approach in its 2013 budget released today.
See full story at the NUPGE website here.