News & Updates
Does the federal government even care about health care?
March 15, 2015
HSA REPORT, MARCH 2015
BY CAROL RIVIERE, HSA COMMUNICATIONS
The results of the 2015 federal election will have a critical impact on many issues, but none more so than health care.
Notice of Pharmacare changes that may impact coverage
March 13, 2015
Pacific Blue Cross has circulated a bulletin explaining changes which may affect the Pharmacare coverage for some members.
Please read the full memo to see if this affects you.
The changes take effect April 1. You can contact Pacific Blue Cross with any questions at 604 419-2600 or 1-888-275-4672 (toll-free).
Erica Kang, dietitian
March 13, 2015
HSA REPORT, MARCH 2015
BY LAURA BUSHEIKIN
For many cancer patients, getting enough to eat is a challenge.
Update on the 37.5 hour work week
March 12, 2015
HSA REPORT, MARCH 2015
The 37.5 hour work week first took effect on September 1, 2013, and over the course of that fall HSA filed a significant number of grievances on behalf of members impacted by the implementation. In the 18 months since then, a lot has happened.
Time to take benefits of early child care seriously
March 12, 2015
Photo by Leif Norman
HSA REPORT, MARCH 2015
ChildCare 2020 was the first national child care policy conference in a decade and the fourth such conference in Canada's history.
Joint Benefit Trust under construction
March 11, 2015
HSA REPORT, MARCH 2015
BY DENNIS BLATCHFORD, HSA PENSIONS AND BENEFITS ADVOCATE
Can members expect to see changes in our health and welfare benefits through the new health and welfare trust? It would be good to have additional services like dietitians added to the extended health portion of the plan.
Action on cardiac sonographer injuries
March 11, 2015
HSA REPORT, MARCH 2015
BY DAVID DURNING, HSA OHS OFFICER
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers – workers who specialize in the use of imaging devices to produce diagnostic images, scans and videos – have always been at risk for developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
Those injuries include tendonitis, bursitis and muscle and nerve damage to hands, arms, elbows, shoulders, necks and backs.
Guarding minds at work
March 10, 2015
HSA REPORT, MARCH 2015
BY VAL AVERY, HSA PRESIDENT
Workload and stress are among the most serious workplace challenges of our time.
As a union, we're seeing an increasing number of members, from all professions, paying a terrible price for this. Compromised performance, increased illness and disability wreak havoc on professionals, their families, and the health care system itself.
2015 Basic Steward Training
March 5, 2015
Stewards play a vital role in the union. Particularly important is the steward's role in contract interpretation, organizing and the grievance procedure. In recognition of the need for educating new stewards in these areas, HSA is offering 3-day Basic Steward Training workshops at the HSA office as follows:
Dates:May 11 - 13, 2015June 1 - 3, 2015
Location: HSA Office, 180 East Columbia Street, New Westminster
HSA joins with Labour in lobby to Victoria
March 4, 2015
HSA President Val Avery joined labour leaders at the BC Federation of Labour annual lobby of government decision-makers in Victoria yesterday. Avery met with Health Minister Terry Lake, qne other government and opposition MLAs. See the story from the BC Federation of Labour here:
http://bcfed.ca/news/releases/bc-federation-labour-brings-good-jobs-mess...