News & Updates

The Report: October / November 1999 vol.20 num.3 ENPs get new wage rate HSA welcomed approximately 35 Electroneurophysiologists (ENPs) into the union inDecember 1996, when they were deemed paramedical professionals following an application tothe Labour Board under Bill 48. On September 30, HSA and the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) finally reachedagreement on the placement of these ENPs into...

The Report: October / November 1999 vol.20 num.3 Canadas health care system is once again at risk as the -MilleniumRound" of trade talks begins on November 30. Government leaders from around the worldwill be meeting in Seattle for the World Trade Organizations Third MinisterialConference. This round of negotiations will include discussions on expanding the General Agreementon Trade in Services, and...

The Report: August 1999 vol.20 num.2 On July 5, the provincial government introduced legislation that will, for the firsttime, give working people a direct say in how their pension plans are run. The Public Sector Pension Plan Act allows the four provincial pension plans (includingthe Municipal Pension Plan which covers HSA members) to establish joint trusteeshipbetween public sector employers and...

The Report: August 1999 vol.20 num.2 by SHEILA VATAIKI As a Labour Relations Officer on phone duty I have received numerousinquiries from members about their Blue Cross coverage for prescription drugs. The Blue Cross list of -covered" medications is based onPharmacare recommendations. Pharmacare has a very long list that is updated daily. Whiledoctors do not have access to this list...

The Report: August 1999 vol.20 num.2 by SARAH O'LEARY Often members who file grievances which must proceed to arbitration are unsure whatto expect and want to know what to anticipate as the matter proceeds towards a hearing.This is the first of a two-part series which looks at the grievance and arbitrationprocess. It outlines the steps that must be followed when...

The Report: August 1999 vol.20 num.2 by CHERYL GREENHALGH Breast cancer has touched most of us in one way or another. Many of our patients,co-workers, friends and family have been affected by this disease, and HSA members arevery involved in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. That is why HSA has been a sponsor of the BC Breast Cancer...

The Report: August 1999 vol.20 num.2 by CINDY STEWART With all of the workplace restructuring that has occurred in healthcare and social services, HSA members are frequently called upon to participate inemployer-driven -consultation" processes. The processes are characterized as anopportunity for health care and social services workers to have input into restructuringinitiatives and provide feedback with respect to the operational...

The Report: July 1999 vol.20 num.1 by SARAH O'LEARY and JUDITH McCORMACK PICTURE THIS. Your employers private investigator is hidden outside your home, holding a video camera and taping your every move. Sound ridiculous? Unfortunately, some workers have become unwitting home movie stars, thanks to employers who think they are faking illness or disability. Usually these cases involve workers who...

The Report: July 1999 vol.20 num.1 Over 250 delegates rose to their feet at HSAs 28th Annual Convention, after acclaiming Cindy Stewart as President of the Health Sciences Association for a fourth term. Stewart was visibly moved as she thanked the delegates for their support. -This is a great honour and a privilege. I am so proud to represent HSA,"...

The Report: July 1999 vol.20 num.1 by CINDY STEWART I write this on the first day of summer: June 21. When I began my work on the Executive of HSA, first as a Board member, then as President, I heard rumours that ‘things slowed down in the summer, affording a breather from the hectic pace maintained throughout the rest of...