News & Updates
Taking aim at workload and shortages
October 3, 2016
HSA REPORT MAGAZINE, SEPTEMBER 2016
Member surveys reveal that workload and shortages continue to be the greatest workplace concern -- and HSA is taking action.
After consulting extensively with members through a series of surveys over the summer, HSA is rolling out a multi-level effort to raise public awareness and get the provincial government to take action on the dire shortage of health science professionals. These shortages continue to create unsafe levels of workload, and contribute directly to wait lists that put patients' lives on hold, or at risk.
Eric Cheng, respiratory therapist
September 28, 2016
HSA REPORT MAGAZINE, SEPTEMBER 2016
BY LAURA BUSHEIKIN
"I love what I do. I can't believe I get paid for it."
HSA member Eric Cheng is a respiratory therapist at Eagle Ridge Hospital in Port Moody, and a co-founder of the Canadian charity Respiratory Therapists Without Borders.
President's report to 2016 Regional Meetings
September 27, 2016
Your elected HSA representatives and staff have been hard at work since the union's 45th convention in May. The upcoming regional meetings will be a good opportunity to provide updates on that work, and a chance for stewards and other activists to connect and discuss the issues in your region.
In preparation for those meetings, please take a few minutes to review some of the important work HSA has been involved in.
Ready to make a difference
September 26, 2016
HSA REPORT MAGAZINE, SEPTEMBER 2016
HSA members are looking ahead to the May 9, 2017 provincial election, and getting the training they need to make a real difference. Stasia Hasumi is already jumping in with both feet.
"I've been a community activist for a while, but after serving on HSA's Political Action Committee last year, I saw how important it is to help elect candidates who will fight for the things we believe in," says Hasumi. "I got involved in last fall's federal election, and am already working on next year's provincial election."
Don't mess with asbestos
September 26, 2016
HSA REPORT MAGAZINE, SEPTEMBER 2016
BY DAVID DURNING, HSA OHS OFFICER
In recent months there have been reports of hazardous asbestos abatement incidents in several BC health care facilities and labs.
This is potentially exposing workers and members of the public to deadly asbestos fibres.
HSA launches new ad on shortages
September 20, 2016
Members have told HSA that workload issues caused by shortages of key health science professionals have reached critical levels.
In a series of surveys conducted over the summer, members from across BC and a range of professions expressed concern that workload was making it difficult to deliver quality care, and leaving patients waiting too long for important procedures.
To address these concerns, HSA has launched a new province-wide ad aimed at raising public awareness of how shortages of health science professionals is impacting wait times and health care.
Time to get your pride on!
July 29, 2016
You're invited to join with HSA and other labour unions as part of the Multi-Union Pride group in the Vancouver Pride Parade on Sunday, July 31, 2016. Arrive between 12 and 12:30 pm. Marching is open to all HSA members, their families and friends. We will meet on Thurlow Street, between Robson and Haro, by 12:15 pm at the latest. Just look for the HSA and other union flags.
Important survey of duties and credential
July 20, 2016
During bargaining for the current community health collective agreement, the parties agreed in Memorandum of Agreement #34 to investigate the need to establish a new benchmark for the job Medical Office Assistant. To assist with the required investigation, a union survey has been developed for distribution to Community Health Subsector members whose job description features the job title Medical Office Assistant and/or includes completion of a Medical Office Assistant program as one of the job's qualifications.
West Coast Medical Imaging members vote to ratify new contract
July 8, 2016
Members working at West Coast Medical Imaging have voted in favour of accepting the terms of a new collective agreement. 73% voted in favour of ratification during votes in Vancouver and Victoria earlier this week.
The agreement provides improvements in sick leave, family illness, vacation access and uniform policy.
Over the coming months, HSA and the employer will meet to finalize the collective agreement for distribution and implementation.
Ambassador for pharmacy
July 6, 2016
Nadeem Zia (centre, blue tie)
HSA REPORT MAGAZINE, JULY 2016
Surrey Memorial Hospital pharmacist Nadeem Zia was recently invited as a guest speaker to the 19th International Pharmacy Conference and Exhibition in Lahore, Pakistan.