News & Updates

The 2006 HSA Convention is just around the corner. Once again, delegates will have an opportunity to debate issues and help to determine the future direction of our union.All HSA members are welcome to attend and speak at the Convention, which will be held this year at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown in Burnaby. However, only delegates have the right to...

HSA members will soon be preparing for the 2006 HSA Convention, to be held April 6, 7, & 8, 2006 at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown in Burnaby. Conventions are where chapters from around the province determine the future direction of the union. Policies, actions, constitutional amendments, structural changes are all discussed and debated at convention. Members who have specific issues...

This year Regional Director elections will take place in Regions 2, 4, 6, 8 & 10. All HSA members in these regions are encouraged to put their name forward for these important positions. Directors meet, on average, every six weeks and take an active leadership role in representing the union. They are reimbursed for the time they spend in official...

BL10087 The 10th Annual Labour Community Christmas Dinners will be held on Saturday, December 24th, from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Whalley Legion Hall in Surrey and the Maritime Labour Centre in Vancouver.There are many ways that HSA members can help.HSA members wishing to make a donation can send cheques payable to: Labour Community Christmas Dinnerc/o Angela Schira, Secretary-TreasurerBC...

BL10086HSA members covered by the Community Social Services Bargaining Association collective agreement held a bargaining proposal conference last week to discuss priorities for the upcoming negotiations. The current collective agreement expires March 31, 2006.Pat Jacklin, an HSA member at Comox Valley Transition Society, was elected to join Labour Relations Officer Josef Rieder as HSA's representatives on the Community Social Services...

BL10085 HSA President Cindy Stewart has written to Premier Gordon Campbell calling on the government to apply the same factors and considerations that led to a 15 per cent wage increase for MLAs to the governments preparations for setting a wage mandate for other public sector workers, including the health care and community social services workers represented by HSA.-I understand...

BC HEALTH COALITIONThe BC Health Coalition has commitments from 113 municipal candidates who have each signed a pledge to protect public health care (list available for download below). As public health care defenders, the candidates have agreed to: Speak out vigorously against the privatization of health care Fight to keep and improve local public health services Advocate for open, accountable...

The Report: November / December 2005 vol.26 num.6 by LAURA BUSHEIKIN he old adage -Think globally, act locally" is nicely embodied in the person of Thalia Vesterback. As an HSA Member at Large for Region 9, Vesterback appreciates the opportunities union activism gives her. When she can help improve conditions for herself and colleagues, she is satisfied. Thalia Vesterback Member...

The Report: November / December 2005 vol.26 num.6 by RITU MAHIL A senior colleague of mine has retired and her job has been posted. I would like to apply but the employer has revised the job description and added all sorts of qualifications that were not required before. Could this possibly be the subject of a grievance? Yes. Qualifications must...

The Report: November / December 2005 vol.26 num.6 by CINDY STEWART On November 19, 2005 British Columbians head to the polls again. This time, its to elect mayors, municipal councillors, school trustees, and regional district representatives. In the past several years, HSA members have passed resolutions at annual conventions directing the union to do more to encourage HSA members to...