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BC's health unions demonstrate against private health care

June 14, 2000
Joint news release from HEU, BCNU, BCGEU and HSA Health care workers and other medicare advocates in B.C. joined thousands of demonstrators across Canada today to demand immediate action by Ottawa to stop privatization of medicare. -We are on the brink of Canadas biggest medical emergency ever," Jim Sinclair, president of the B.C. Federation of Labour, warned a huge crowd outside the provincial Ministry of Health building in Victoria.

HSA scores victory over workplace harassment

June 1, 2000
The Report: June / July 2000 vol.21 num.3 by YUKIE KURAHASHI HSA has won a significant Workers' Compensation Board appeal, marking one of the first times the WCB has recognized psychological disability caused by workplace harassment for union activity. The WCB initially rejected the claim of the former HSA chief steward, who developed a disabling depression due to extensive and prolonged personal harassment by the executive director of the small facility where she worked. 

Unions win fight to keep Magnolia House open

June 1, 2000
The Report: June / July 2000 vol.21 num.3 by YUKIE KURAHASHI When the management of Magnolia House announced last year that they would be closing the North Vancouver facility, the employees - including twelve HSA members - thought they would be losing their jobs.  In fact, they were issued lay-off notices in April, and many workers had already started the process of displacement job-matching through the Healthcare Labour Adjustment Agency. 

On-call research to continue

June 1, 2000
The Report: June / July 2000 vol.21 num.3 by RACHEL NOTLEY The Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare has approved $10,000 for HSA to continue research relating to on-call work.  Last fall, HSA retained a PhD candidate from UBC to conduct a literature search on the issue of on-call work.

Fighting to protect and enhance HSA's classification system

June 1, 2000
The Report: June / July 2000 vol.21 num.3 HSA Classifications staff are responsible for the myriad issues that flow from negotiating, implementing, and administrating the classifications systems of four master collective agreements: the Paramedical Professional Collective Agreement, the Nurses Collective Agreement, the Health Services and Support Community Subsector Agreement, and the Community Social Services Collective Agreement.

Flexing legal muscle for HSA members' rights

June 1, 2000
The Report: June / July 2000 vol.21 num.3 Typically, when a dispute arises in the workplace, HSAs stewards are able to resolve the issue, either through discussion or through filing a grievance. Sometimes, in the case of a particularly difficult situation or one that involves regional issues, the steward consults a labour relations officer, who then works with the steward in addressing the problem.

HSA wins landmark case in workplace health and safety

June 1, 2000
The Report: June / July 2000 vol.21 num.3 by YUKIE KURAHASHI It might start with a sore throat, watery eyes, nausea, and headaches that develop while youre at work and subside when you get home. The symptoms might progress to constant fatigue, rashes, anaemia, and gastrointestinal problems. A few sufferers may develop debilitating symptoms when exposed to car exhaust, smoke, perfume, or even some building materials or plastics.

Delegates look forward to busy year ahead

June 1, 2000
The Report: June / July 2000 vol.21 num.3 Over 250 delegates attended this years HSA Convention, held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Vancouver on March 31 and April 1. Delegates welcomed guests from around the province and across the country to their 29th Annual Convention. HSA President Cindy Stewarts speech to delegates reflected this years convention theme: HSA members make a difference. Her speech celebrated the important difference that HSA members make every day at work, in the union, and in our communities.

Workplace injury prevention a high priority

June 1, 2000
The Report: June / July 2000 vol.21 num.3 by RACHEL NOTLEY and YUKIE KURAHASHI There may be light at the end of the occupational injury tunnel for ultrasound technologists. A recent study found that 91 per cent experience pain or discomfort at some point during their sonography career. However, HSA has been working to expose the extent of the incidence of injuries among sonographers, and to find ways to reduce and eliminate sonographer injuries.

HSA fights layoffs at GF Strong

June 1, 2000
The Report: June / July 2000 vol.21 num.3 by YUKIE KURAHASHI HSA is fighting to stop proposed layoffs at GF Strongs Prosthetics and Orthotics Services Lab. The Prosthetics and Orthotics Service provides a comprehensive program where medical specialists, orthotists, prosthetists, technicians, and physical and occupational therapists work together to provide the client with the device that will give the best possible function. 

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