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WTO talks a threat to medicare

October 1, 1999
The Report: October / November 1999 vol.20 num.3 Canadas health care system is once again at risk as the -MilleniumRound" of trade talks begins on November 30. Government leaders from around the worldwill be meeting in Seattle for the World Trade Organizations Third MinisterialConference. This round of negotiations will include discussions on expanding the General Agreementon Trade in Services, and the United States and other countries are pushing hard to havehealth and social services included in these discussions.

New legislation gives workers greater say over pensions

August 1, 1999
The Report: August 1999 vol.20 num.2 On July 5, the provincial government introduced legislation that will, for the firsttime, give working people a direct say in how their pension plans are run.

Not always easy to know what drugs are covered by your health care plan

August 1, 1999
The Report: August 1999 vol.20 num.2 by SHEILA VATAIKI As a Labour Relations Officer on phone duty I have received numerousinquiries from members about their Blue Cross coverage for prescription drugs. The Blue Cross list of -covered" medications is based onPharmacare recommendations. Pharmacare has a very long list that is updated daily. Whiledoctors do not have access to this list on a daily basis, pharmacies have access to itimmediately through their on-line system.

The grievance process

August 1, 1999
The Report: August 1999 vol.20 num.2 by SARAH O'LEARY Often members who file grievances which must proceed to arbitration are unsure whatto expect and want to know what to anticipate as the matter proceeds towards a hearing.This is the first of a two-part series which looks at the grievance and arbitrationprocess. It outlines the steps that must be followed when a grievance is filed, and what amember can expect to happen as the grievance works its way through the arbitral system.

HSA support for Run helps fund important new research

August 1, 1999
The Report: August 1999 vol.20 num.2 by CHERYL GREENHALGH Breast cancer has touched most of us in one way or another. Many of our patients,co-workers, friends and family have been affected by this disease, and HSA members arevery involved in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. That is why HSA has been a sponsor of the BC Breast Cancer Foundation’s Run forthe Cure since 1997. Through donations by our organization and pledges gathered by HSAmembers participating in the event, we have proudly directed $45,000 to the foundation.

Meaningful consultation is key in any workplace restructuring

August 1, 1999
The Report: August 1999 vol.20 num.2 by CINDY STEWART With all of the workplace restructuring that has occurred in healthcare and social services, HSA members are frequently called upon to participate inemployer-driven -consultation" processes. The processes are characterized as anopportunity for health care and social services workers to have input into restructuringinitiatives and provide feedback with respect to the operational impact.

Video surveillance

July 1, 1999
The Report: July 1999 vol.20 num.1 by SARAH O'LEARY and JUDITH McCORMACK

Common values make HSA strong

July 1, 1999
The Report: July 1999 vol.20 num.1 Over 250 delegates rose to their feet at HSAs 28th Annual Convention, after acclaiming Cindy Stewart as President of the Health Sciences Association for a fourth term.

Summer brings new challenges for HSA

July 1, 1999
The Report: July 1999 vol.20 num.1 by CINDY STEWART I write this on the first day of summer: June 21. When I began my work on the Executive of HSA, first as a Board member, then as President, I heard rumours that ‘things slowed down in the summer, affording a breather from the hectic pace maintained throughout the rest of the year. I wait patiently for one of those summers.

Lesbian, bisexual and gay network established

July 1, 1999
The Report: July 1999 vol.20 num.1 At convention this year, lesbian, bisexual and gay delegates and their supporters established an informal network to keep in touch on issues affecting them in the workplace, within the context of union activism. The network is facilitated by HSAs Equality of Rights Committee.

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