News & Updates

Labour Relations Board rules USW pickets cant block workers or patients Members of United Steel Workers (Local 2009) are fighting for a fair collective agreement with Compass Canada. The members are amongst the lowest paid workers in the health sector, and are fighting for equality with other workers doing the same work. In September, the Labour Relations Board ruled that...

The October 18, 1929 decision in the -Persons Case" held that Canadian women were -persons" under the law, and thus could be appointed to the Senate and established more generally that Canadian women had the same rights as Canadian men with respect to positions of political power. To mark the 80th anniversary of the Persons decision, the Canadian Women Voters...

Fresh on the heels of cutting funding for children with autism, the Ministry for Children and Family Development has abruptly cut off funding to the Infant Development Programs provincial office. -Why are the BC Liberals picking on kids with disabilities?" asked Reid Johnson, President of the Health Sciences Association of BC. -First, the ministry announced it was cutting funding for...

Families are planning rallies in the coming weeks to fight the cut in funding for autism services for children. HSA President Reid Johnson will join the Kelowna rally Sunday October 18 at 11 a.m. Date: Sunday, October 18th Time: 11 am - 1 pm Place: Kerry Park/The Sails (downtown Kelowna on Bernard Avenue) If you would like to help with...

The Report: October / November 2009 vol.30 num.3 SEPTEMBER WAS A DEVASTATING month for parents of children with special needs. First, the Ministry for Children and Family Development announced a dramatic cut in funding for children with autism. But, not to worry, the minister said, the $3-million cut would be replaced with a $1-million referral centre. Programs would be cut...

user The Report: October / November 2009 vol.30 num.3 SAVING LIVES THROUGH RESPIRATORY THERAPY by LAURA BUSHEIKIN From the first inspiration of a newborn baby, to the last exhalation of a person at the end of life, breathing defines our existence. Accordingly, respiratory therapists can be an integral part of every step of this journey. It is no wonder, then...

The Report: October / November 2009 vol.30 num.3 FIGHTING INEQUALITY, WORKING FOR CHANGE by LAURA BUSHEIKIN Like many HSA members, Anne Davis is actively engaged in the fight for social justice. But even the unions most passionate activists might be surprised by how hard Davis is working to advance social justice, human rights, labour, and gender equality. First of all...

The Report: October / November 2009 vol.30 num.3 by JULIO TRUJILLO I work as a lab tech in a hospital, and Im pregnant. So is my colleague ... shes a registered psychiatric nurse at the same facility. Do we have the same maternity leave benefits? Yes you do. But, depending on your contract, different groups of HSA members have different...

The Report: October / November 2009 vol.30 num.4 LIKE THE PATIENTS AND CLIENTS we serve all across British Columbia, HSA members are facing some big challenges this fall. Travelling to meet with members at this years round of regional meetings, Ive had a chance to hear about these first hand. Its clear to all that after years of wasteful spending...

The Report: October / November 2009 vol.30 num.4 CYTOGENETIC TECHNOLOGIST CHRISTINE HAESSIG by LAURA BUSHEIKIN -THE VERY FIRST TIME I looked down a microscope I was immediately very interested," says HSA member Christine Haessig. -From an early age, I always knew I was going to go to university and have a career in the scientific field." If that microscope could...