News & Updates

The Report: December 2009 vol.30 num.5 elegates to the 2009 HSA Health Science Professionals Bargaining Proposal Conference, held in Vancouver November 8-10, have specifically identified -protecting quality health care" as one of the top priorities for bargaining. -That sends a very powerful message," said HSABC President Reid Johnson. -Our members want us to secure a good contract, but theyre also...

The Report: December 2009 vol.30 num.5 HSA MEMBERS ARE PROTECTING CO-WORKERS FROM BULLYING IMAGINE A WORKPLACE where all employees feel valued and respected by an employer who cares about their wellbeing. An inclusive environment where ideas are openly expressed and differences honored. A world of teamwork, clear communication, and harmony. If that doesnt sound like your workplace, statistics say you...

The Report: December 2009 vol.30 num.5 SOCIAL WORKER DARWIN WREN BELIEVES IN GETTING INVOLVED by LAURA BUSHEIKIN FOR SUCH A BUSY MAN, HSA member Darwin Wren comes across as remarkably calm. Perhaps thats because hes very clear about what is at the heart of his many different activities. -Building community is what it is all about," he says. -I really...

The Report: December 2009 vol.30 num.5 INFANT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM SUPERVISOR MICHAELA WOOLDRIDGE'S JOB JUST GOT HARDER AFTER 20 YEARS working in infant development, first as a Consultant dealing directly with families and then as a Clinical Supervisor, Michaela Wooldridge knows her field very well. She knows what constitutes best practices, and how these have evolved, and keep evolving, over the...

The Report: December 2009 vol.30 num.5 THE BC GOVERNMENT SAYS TIMES ARE TOUGH; savings must be found and wages must be frozen so that every penny can be used to protect health care services for patients. Sounds nice, but it doesnt make any sense. The fact is that this government is cutting deeply into the health services they promised to...

Last Thursday, HSA reached an agreement with Fraser Health Authority for social workers working in acute care facilities, as well as Queens Park Care Centre, who are facing job loss as a result of government-ordered budget cuts. HSA invites Fraser Health Authority social workers affected by the cuts and their stewards to attend special meetings to discuss the agreement. These...

Today, as local and national governments around the world reaffirm their commitment to continue the fight against HIV and AIDS, BCs government is doing the opposite. Effective December 1 ... World AIDS Day ... BCs Ministry of Health is imposing funding cuts to community-based HIV and AIDS service organizations, including AIDS Vancouver.The Health Sciences Association (HSA) is the union that...

HSA has reached an agreement with Fraser Health Authority for social workers working in acute care facilities, as well as Queens Park Care Centre, who are facing job loss as a result of government-ordered budget cuts. The measures are expected to reduce the number of involuntary layoffs and displacements, and give affected members options including voluntary reduction of hours, job-sharing...

A recent global survey found that fifty per cent of educated youths admit they dont know enough about HIV and AIDS, according to AIESEC International, the worlds largest student organization.However, in the eight years since the United Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS was signed in 2001, HIV infections have been reduced by 17 per cent, according to the Joint United...

The Health Sciences Association of BC, the union that represents more 15,000 health science professionals who deliver the diagnostic, clinical and rehabilitation services in BCs hospitals and communities, is sounding the alarm about the provincial governments broken promise to protect health care services. In an intensive province-wide radio campaign, HSA blows the whistle on the cuts to health services...