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...

user The Report: December 2009 vol.30 num.5 PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT ELIMINATES INTERVENTION PROGRAM WITH PROVEN RESULTS SEVERAL YEARS AGO, staff at the Queen Alexandra Centre for Children on Vancouver Island met a little boy. He was four years old, but he couldnt speak. Unlike other children his age, he coudnt ask his parents questions about the world or describe to them...

The Report: December 2009 vol.30 num.5 AFTER ELECTION PROMISE TO PROTECT HEALTH, CAMPBELL MAKES DEEP CUTS THAT WILL RAISE COSTS IN THE LONG TERM DURING THE PROVINCIAL election earlier this year, Premier Gordon Campbell promised there would be no cuts to health care despite BCs worsening financial situation. Just two months later, that promise began to unravel. On July 15...

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...

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...

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...

In early November, the Fraser Health Authority announced a series of cuts impacting HSA members including social workers, registered psychiatric nurses and youth care counsellors. HSA has responded by presenting a variety of options to Fraser Health intended to minimize the effect of displacements on HSA members. To date HSA and Fraser Health have been unable to reach an agreement...

Vancouver Sun Re: Public sector unions should push for more private involvement, Nov. 17 Let's be clear about what privatized health care is about. It has nothing to do with universal access. It is a method of generating enormous profits from your illness or injury -- no more, no less. Dr. Brian Day, author of the Issues & Ideas piece...

HSA invites its Fraser Health Authority members affected by the cuts and their stewards to attend special meetings to discuss the cut backs to social workers, registered psychiatric nurses and youth care counsellors. These meetings are an opportunity to get accurate information on your collective agreement rights from the union's labour relations specialists.HSA also encourages members to access the Fraser...

(Vancouver) Today, Madame Justice Smith announced her ruling to allow the BC Health Coalition and their pro-medicare partners to participate as intervenors in the pivotal B.C. Supreme Court case launched by Dr. Brian Day and a consortium of private for-profit clinics against the B.C. Medical Services Commission and the provincial government. The group of private for-profit clinics are seeking to...