News & Updates

The Report: October / November 1999 vol.20 num.3 On October 24, 1999, the Life Quilt for Breast Cancer was unveiled in its entirety– a dream fulfilled for the woman who first conceived of it five years ago, and whosepersonal odyssey with breast cancer continues to inspire Canadians from coast to coast. Judy Reimer, former Registered Nurse and single mother of...

The Report: October / November 1999 vol.20 num.3 The Paramedical Professional Bargaining Association is demanding that the provincialgovernment intervene in the on-going dispute between the unions and the employer overlevelling money. Although the paramedical collective agreement was ratified more than eight months ago,many union members are still waiting to receive the levelling money awarded in thecontract. HSA chief negotiator Rick...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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. The Public Sector Pension Plan Act allows the four provincial pension plans (includingthe Municipal Pension Plan which covers HSA members) to establish joint trusteeshipbetween public sector employers and...

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. In order to be included on this mailing list, lesbian, bisexual...

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 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. Stewart was visibly moved as she thanked the delegates for their support. -This is a great honour and a privilege. I am so proud to represent HSA,"...