News & Updates
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.
HSPBA wage increase effective pay period of March 15-28
March 20, 2013
Following the March 6, 2013 ratification of the HSPBA collective agreement, a wage increase of 2 per cent for all members, excluding pharmacists, will be implemented. This increase is effective the first pay period following ratification, which is the pay period of March 15 to 28. Members are currently receiving pay stubs for the pay period of March 1 to 14. There is no wage increase effective for that period.
Members are encouraged to check their pay stubs to ensure the increases are applied.
RPNs: Continuation of Benefits While Awaiting LTD
March 19, 2013
Are you a registered psychiatric nurse with a disability date of April 1, 2012 or later? If you have applied for Long Term Disability benefits and are in the LTD waiting period or you are appealing a decision of the LTD carrier, you may be eligible for premium maintenance for Health and Welfare benefits (Medical, Extended Health, Dental, Group Life and AD&D and LTD premiums). In order to be eligible you must meet the following criteria:
Community social services: Comprehensive report available – plus ratification meeting schedule, telephone town hall details
March 14, 2013
Community social service professionals represented by HSA are invited to participate in a joint multi-union bargaining association telephone town hall scheduled for next week.
Telephone town hall meeting details:
Important information for health science professionals regarding changes to drug coverage under new collective agreement
March 12, 2013
Further to the recently ratified collective agreement between the Health Science Professionals’ Bargaining Association and Health Employers’ Association of BC, the parties have agreed to move the effective date for full implementation of the Pharmacare tie-in to June 1, 2013. Further, the 90-day grace period will be extended to August 31, 2013.