News & Updates

The Report: June 2011 vol.32 num.2 On the heels of a difficult ratification vote, HSA members from around the province gathered to do as theyve done for 40 years ... work together to meet the future challenges of an ever changing health care system. -OVER THE NEXT TWO DAYS, we will be focusing on the future of our union. Where...

The Report: June 2011 vol.32 num.2 What is an attendance promotion program? Employers are increasingly using programs intended to reduce the amount of money they lose on the sick days taken by their employees. These programs have been around for a long time, and while at first they consisted largely of individual meetings with employees who seemed to be using...

The Report: June 2011 vol.32 num.2 HSA invited Andre Picard, health reporter for the Globe and Mail, to deliver a keynote address on the future of public health care in Canada. His speech touched on several recommendations for improving the system. Thank you for the kind introduction. But I recently changed my bio, courtesy of a politician who was angry...

Unions call on B.C. government and employers to protect community jobs and services Frontline community social services workers across British Columbia have given their bargaining committees a strike mandate of 85% in Community Living and 77% in General Services. The vote follows more than 18 months of protracted contract talks that broke down on March 30. HSA spokesperson Josef Rieder...

Beginning May 31, HSA is conducting a phone survey of members in communities around the province. The survey, which focuses on HSAs communications tools and practices, will be conducted by Viewpoints Research. Callers will contact members at random until 600 interviews are completed. Be assured that members will not be called during Canucks games! If you are called, please agree...

In the recently negotiated collective agreement covering health science professionals working in hospitals and communities around the province, a $450,000 professional development fund was established for use by members over the term of the collective agreement.Following ratification of the agreement, a joint committee of the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) and Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) was established...

Four candidates have been nominated to run for Regional Director in Region 8. A by-election was called following the resignation of Joan Magee as Region 8 Director. The new Director will serve the remainder of Magees 2-year term, ending at the conclusion of HSAs 2012 convention. The 4 candidates seeking election are: Cherylee Hale, Cardiology Technologist at Kelowna General Hospital...

The Okanagan Saturday Hospital overcrowding has potentially fatal consequences. It's not just a matter of discomfort and indignity. Health professionals are raising the alarm because we need to care for all patients thoroughly and quickly. But when a hospital is regularly forced to admit up to 29 percent more patients than capacity - 44 more than the 148 beds at...

Penticton Herald Dear Editor: Overcrowding at a hospital has potentially fatal consequences. It's not just a matter of discomfort and indignity. Health professionals are raising the alarm because we need to care for all patients thoroughly and quickly. But when a hospital is regularly forced to admit up to 29 per cent more patients than capacity - 44 more than...

-Putting Women in Their Place ... in our Unions, in Politics and in our Communities" July 13 ... 17, 2011 - University of Victoria The BC Summer Institute for Union Women (SIUW) offers an intensive week of learning within a supportive environment in which union women can develop their skills as workers, activists and leaders. Sponsored by the British Columbia...