News & Updates

The Report: December 2012 vol.33 num.4 SINCE 2004, THE BC LIBERAL GOVERNMENT HAS SLASHED $300 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED, VULNERABLE WOMEN, AT-RISK YOUTH, AND CHILDREN AND INFANTS IN COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS ACROSS THE PROVINCE. Community social service workers have faced a decade of declining wages. The current starting wage for a residential care worker is...

The Report: December 2012 vol.33 num.4 HEALTH SCIENCE PROFESSIONALS DELIVERED A RESOUNDING 90 PERCENT STRIKE VOTE TO BACK THEIR BARGAINING COMMITTEE IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH BC'S HEALTH EMPLOYERS. -This strong vote sends a clear message to government and health authorities that its time to come to the table and negotiate a fair and reasonable collective agreement," said Reid Johnson, President of...

The Report: December 2012 vol.33 num.4 IN AN IDEAL WORLD, STRIKES WOULD NOT BE NECESSARY. Employees and employers would meet at the bargaining table, discuss bargaining proposals based upon reason, justice and mutual respect. They would use objective data and negotiate a settlement. In reality, that is often what happens. However, sometimes there are significantly different points of view about...

The Report: December 2012 vol.33 num.4 IN OUR LONG HISTORY, HSA MEMBERS HAVE RARELY FELT WE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PREPARE FOR A STRIKE. Our health science professional members have only gone on strike three times before now, and the last time more than 11 years ago. Its not something we take lightly. That is why it is so...

For immediate release: November 30, 2012 The members of BCs modern health care team who provide diagnostic, clinical and rehabilitation services have announced they will begin strike action next week. Tired and frustrated by months of inaction at the bargaining table, health science professionals voted 90 per cent in favour of a strike this month.Wednesday, December 5, pharmacists ... who...

On the eve of the implementation of a new province-wide policy that threatened to fire health science professionals who refused to declare whether they had been vaccinated against seasonal flu, Health Sciences Association has negotiated an agreement that sees the government back off on the policys punitive aspects. This year, the Ministry of Health will focus on educational efforts and...

Nanaimo News Bulletin The Health Sciences Association of B.C. wants Vancouver Island Health Authority to hire more respiratory therapists for Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. VIHA says it wants to raise staffing levels, but can't find people to fill the positions. "There have been times at Nanaimo where one respiratory therapist has been on for a 24-hour period," said Reid Johnson...

Harbour City Star By Darrell Bellaart Health officials have been told to address a shortage of specialists who help critically ill patients with breathing difficulties at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. WorkSafe B.C. ruled the Vancouver Island Health Authority must provide a plan to stop scheduling respiratory therapists to work shifts as long as 24 hours. A Work-Safe inspector toured NRGH...

Community social services workers (represented by HSA) are on strike tomorrow, as are community health services and support workers (represented by CUPE) at Vancouver Community Mental Health. (HSA also represents health science professionals at VCMHS, who are not on strike.) Community health services and support Picketing commences at two VCMHS sites from early morning until 11am, when the picketers will...

Come join 2000 delegates to the BC Federation of Labour convention to call for fairness for all workers: DATE:Wednesday, November 28 TIME: noon -- convene between East and West Vancouver Convention buildings, 1055 Canada Placenoon-12:30pm -- march to Vancouver Art Gallery12:30-1pm -- Rally at Vancouver Art Gallery Look for HSA's banners, and send us photos! We'll send you a prize...