News & Updates

On February 6, 2009, the government tabled legislation that will radically change the rules governing pay equity in the federal public sector. The Public Sector Equitable Compensation Act - which has been included as part of the omnibus Budget Implementation Act - will remove the right of public sector workers to file complaints for pay equity with the Canadian Human...

Workers' Perspectives: A Violence in Healthcare survey The Provincial Violence Prevention Steering Committee (PVPSC) wants to hear about workers' experiences with violence to create an accurate picture of violence in healthcare workplaces. This survey is the first tool of its kind that will help identify priority areas for violence prevention efforts. If you are a BC healthcare worker, you are...

Are you a woman planning to participate in the upcoming provincial election campaign? If so, then the BCFLs Womens Campaign School may be for you. Dates: March 21-24, 2009Location: Harrison Hot Springs, BCThis School will bring together the labour movement and progressive women candidates to offer women of all experience levels the opportunity to learn about ways to participate in...

HSA members throughout the province who are running for office or working on campaigns in the May 12, 2009 provincial election can apply to HSA for the following financial support from HSAs Political Action Fund: 1. Members who are candidates can apply for up to 20 days of wage replacement and/or up to $200 to cover approved personal expenses incurred...

Todays budget tabled by the BC Liberal government makes it clear that the BC Liberals are in a holding pattern until the next provincial election, says Reid Johnson, president of the Health Sciences Association of BC. HSA represents more than 15,000 health science professionals who provide clinical, diagnostic and rehabilitation services in hospitals and community facilities. -Finance minister Colin Hansen...

Todays 2009/2010 provincial budget announcements failed to provide any new money for health care in British Columbia until 2011. In addition, the budget included no movement towards the creation of previously promised not-for-profit residential beds or any new funding for seniors care. -In times of economic crisis, providing the ability for health authorities to invest in home and community care...

(This information applies to HSA members of the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association.) In January of 2008 the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association successfully negotiated an agreement to resolve issues flowing from the Supreme Court of Canada decision that certain sections of Bill 29 were unconstitutional. HSA made professional development for our members a priority. As a result, the final...

HSA members in Region 1 have again acclaimed Suzanne Bennett as their representative to the HSA Board of Directors. She was acclaimed after the February 12th deadline passed with no further nominations. Suzanne has been the Region 1 Director since 2006. She is the first HSA member from the community social services sector to serve on the board. Suzanne is...

HSA members in Region 7 have re-elected Marg Beddis, a dietitian at Surrey Memorial Hospital, as their representative on the HSA Board of Directors. Since becoming an HSA member in 1991, Marg has been active as a Steward, Assistant Chief Steward and Chief Steward for Surrey Memorial Hospital. She has also served as a Member-at-Large, and on several HSA committees...

HSA members in Region 9 have acclaimed Janice Morrison, a physiotherapist at Kootenay Lake Hospital, as their representative on the HSA Board of Directors. Since becoming an HSA member in 1990, Janice has been a Steward, Assistant Chief Steward, and Chief Steward at Kootenay Lake Hospital, as well as a Member-at-Large. She previously sat on the Committee for Equality and...