News & Updates

Strengthening health services for Indigenous peoples An interview with Charlene Hellson, Aboriginal Wellness Program Coordinator, Vancouver Coastal Health The Report, September 2018 Charlene Hellson began her work with Vancouver Coastal Health’s (VCH) Aboriginal Health Department in October, 2017. As coordina tor of the Aboriginal Wellness Program, she is integral to the work of her team. She coordinates and chairs team...

Proportional representation: a more democratic way to do politics The Report, September 2018 If a party gets 40 per cent of the votes, it should receive 40 per cent of the seats. This is the central feature of a proportional representation (PR) electoral system. While there are different models of PR that achieve this, all variations of PR seek to...

“IT’S OFTEN THE BUY-IN TO STAY IN RECOVERY” MUSIC THERAPY AS A TOOL FOR REHABILITATION The Report , September 2018 Most people assume music therapy is either a sing-along or relaxation, according to HSA member and music therapist Kevin Kirkland. “That is part of what you do, but just a small part.” When Kirkland first graduated with a bachelor’s degree...

HSA Basic Steward/OH&S Training Dates 2019 Registration Information: Stewards may register by logging into My Events Registration. Workshops are listed under Steward Education events. Basic Steward Training 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 in these...

Bargaining for a new collective agreement for BC’s 18,000 health science professionals working in hospitals and communities throughout the province gets underway this week as bargaining representatives for the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) and Health Employers’ Association of BC (HEABC) are set to begin contract negotiations tomorrow in Vancouver. Led by the Health Sciences Association of BC (HSA)...

Join the BC Labour Heritage Centre in its exploration of the pivotal 1983 Solidarity Movement, described as the largest political protest in BC's history. This fall, consider attending two exciting events taking place at the Anvil Centre in New Westminster as part of the Solidarity 35 project: "It Seemed Anything was Possible" film screening and panel discussionThurs. Oct. 4, 7pmFeaturing...

President’s Report Val Avery The Report, Sept 2018 Issue When this month's issue of The Report goes to print, it will be just over a month before referendum ballots are mailed out to British Columbians asking us if we would like to see our provincial elections determined through a first-past-the-post system, or through proportional representation (PR). The second ballot question...

Register for pension seminars for HSA members Thanks to popular demand HSA is offering multiple Municipal Pension Plan seminars scheduled as follows: Tuesday, November 20, 2018: Making the Most of your Pension Seminar Registration closes: November 11, 2018 HSA Head Office 180 East Columbia Street, New Westminster, BC V3L 0G7 Training Room – 2 nd Floor 7:00 pm - 9:00...

The Health Sciences Association of BC is pleased to announce a new $3-million professional development fund aimed at supporting members of the health care team to undertake professional development to increase specialization, improve health care service to rural and remote areas of BC, and meet ongoing requirements for professional development. The fund is available to health science professionals who work...

Community social service workers have voted by 85.7 per cent in favour to ratify a new collective agreement that provides significant compensation increases for workers in this sector, while meeting the government mandate of improving the services British Columbians count on. Community Living workers ratified the tentative agreement by 82.3 per cent. General Services ratified by 95.8 per cent. Indigenous...