News & Updates

The Report: November / December 2001 vol.22 num.5 by RAE JOHNSON After the new Liberal government passed its 90-day timeline in August, the real Liberal agenda started to come clear. In September, Health Services Minister Colin Hansen said that Pharmacare is up for review, and said the ministry is looking at cuts to the program as part of the governments...

The Report: November / December 2001 vol.22 num.5 by SARAH O'LEARY I am aware that in the newly imposed contract, there are some changes to the mileage provisions. I am confused as to who is now eligible for mileage allowances under the paramedical professional provincial contract. One of the changes affecting members with the new contract will be allowances for...

The Report: November / December 2001 vol.22 num.5 by DAN KEETON Colleen Canning Dietitian Adult Metabolic Diseases Clinic, Vancouver Hospital With continued advances in medical science, the world is recognizing the importance of the work that dietitians like Colleen Canning do. Its too bad that the health care employers too often do not. Canning, for several years an activist with...

Cindy Stewart, President of the Health Sciences Association, called on Premier Gordon Campbell today to live up to his promise to make health care a priority for British Columbians."Every day, Premier Gordon Campbell pulls another piece out of a public health care system that has been envied around the world," Stewart said.She said the governments wholesale attack on health care...

Health Sciences Association (HSA) President Cindy Stewart presented the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation this week with a $25,000 donation in the lead-up to the annual Run for the Cure, taking place across the province September 30.The donation marks the fifth year in a row HSA has been a regional sponsor of the BC-Yukon Chapter of the foundation. HSA members play...

The Report: September / October 2001 vol.22 num.4 by CAROL RIVIERE The last round of collective bargaining in the Community Social Services sector established an Accord on Preventing Violence in the Workplace. Pursuant to this accord, HSA and the other unions representing workers in the sector are working with the Community Social Services Employers Association and representatives from the provincial...

The Report: September / October 2001 vol.22 num.4 Liberals begin attacks on BC health care by MIRIAM SOBRINO and YUKIE KURAHASHI Last month, the Liberal government celebrated its first three months in office by announcing it had met its campaign promise of delivering on a number of programs within a 90-day time-frame. One of the promises was to deliver health...

The Report: September / October 2001 vol.22 num.4 by LEYA BEHRA Leya Behra, daughter of HSA member Zaheda Behra, has won the Tommy Douglas Scholarship offered through the National Union of Public and General Employees. Leya Behras imagination brought Tommy Douglas -sad and restless spirit" to speak to us. Leyas mother, Zaheda, is a medical radiation technologist at Vancouver General...

The Report: September / October 2001 vol.22 num.4 by CINDY STEWART It has been a very difficult six months for the union, and each and every one of our members. In January, your bargaining committee set out to negotiate a collective agreement that included a substantial wage increase for all our members. That was the mandate: a wage increase that...

The Report: September / October 2001 vol.22 num.4 by REID JOHNSON As a first-time member of a negotiating committee, I looked forward to the round of bargaining for a new collective agreement. I believed that as an active union member, the unions secretary-treasurer, and a trained social worker I would bring to the table a combination of skills that would...