News & Updates

HSA, HEU say they've been lobbying for a rationalized lab system for several years as a way to save $25 million annually.The health care unions that represent BC's lab technologists and technicians say the recent accord on lab, breast screening and rehabilitation services could help eliminate the waste and duplication that currently exist in BC's health care system. And they...

The Report: October 1998 vol.19 num.3 by SARAH O'LEARY Does the employer have the right to use secret surveillance of employees in the interests of security? We recently had a case in one of our hospitals where the employer was concerned that someone was using a computer to download pornography. The employer installed video cameras that secretly taped the employees...

The Report: October 1998 vol.19 num.3 In 1996, HSA launched a major campaign calling on the provincialgovernment to enhance the role of public providers in the delivery of laboratory services. Finally, it seems the government is ready to act. On September 4, 1998, HSAs Director of Labour Relations RickLampshire signed a Public Sector Accord on Strengthening BCs Public Health CareServices...

The Report: October 1998 vol.19 num.3by MARYANN ABBS In the walls of the forgotten, sleep the souls of the free. - Graffiti on a building in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico There is a war in Chiapas, forgotten by most of the world, frequentlyignored by the press, and not found on the lists of the worlds conflict zones...

The Report: October 1998 vol.19 num.3 by ROD BROWNE After 29 years as a blood bank laboratory technologist at the CanadianRed Cross, June Humphreys is looking forward to her retirement. However, Humphreysdoesnt intend to just sit back and relax ... instead, retirement will mean moretime to devote to her other -full-time job." For the past eight years or so, Humphreys...

The Report: October 1998 vol.19 num.3 by SARAH O'LEARY There has been a great deal of discussion and some heated debate amongmany of our members lately regarding the requirement for professional liability insurance. Certain professional bodies such as the Canadian Society for MedicalLaboratory Science have made insurance mandatory and are refusing to process membershipfees if professional liability insurance is not...

The union that represents lab technologists at VH wants to know why after laying off 70 lab techs last year, the hospital is advertising those same jobs in the Calgary Herald and Edmonton Journal.The Health Sciences Association of BC, the union representing more than 2,600 lab technologists across BC, is calling for an investigation into the events that led to...

The Report: September 1998 vol.19 num.2 by SARAH O'LEARY I recently suffered an injury that prevents me from working. The human resources department at my workplace told me that I have to use up all my sick leave credits before I can apply for LTD. Is this correct? Most of us never have to learn the process required to apply...

The Report: September 1998 vol.19 num.2 by REBECCA MAURER Recent changes to the Screening Mammography Program of BC have raisedconcerns among many HSA members. As a union, HSA has a unique perspective on the changes;not only is the unions membership 90 per cent female, but HSA represents themammographers who provide this important service on a daily basis. At the recent...

The Report: September 1998 vol.19 num.2 by REBECCA MAURER A dance troupe in Victoria that -celebrates large womensstrength, size and attitude" is proving that you dont need to be young andwaiflike to participate in the dance world. -Big Dance," founded by performer and choreographer LyndaRaino, is a group of eight large-sized women. The troupe performs modern dance piecesaround the province...