News & Updates
PHSA confirms lab redesign to go back to the drawing board
March 2, 2015
Following a February 24 meeting and review of feedback from the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association, led by HSA, Provincial Health Services Authority has announced it intends to rethink the laboratory services redesign proposed earlier this month.
On February 3, PHSA served section 54 notice that it intended to introduce a change to Lower Mainland pathology and laboratory services focusing on employees who have been in supervisory roles such as section heads, technical coordinators and chiefs.
Five board members named after close of nominations
February 23, 2015
Nominations for the position of representative to the HSA Board of Directors in Regions 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 closed Thursday February 19 with nominations submitted for one candidate in each of the regions. No elections will be required. Returning to the board are: Anne Davis, Region 1. Davis is a Program Coordinator at the Comox Valley Transition Society with an extensive background as a community activist, having served on the boards of several not-for-profit organizations in her area, and has also been involved in local electoral politics.
HSA responds to proposed redesign of lab services at PHSA
February 17, 2015
Earlier this month Provincial Health Services Authority served section 54 notice that it intends to introduce a change to Lower Mainland pathology and laboratory services focusing on employees who have been in supervisory roles such as section heads, technical coordinators and chiefs.
HSA, on behalf of the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association, has delivered a three-level response:
National union urges Harper government to speak up on the right to strike
February 16, 2015
The group of employers on the ILO’s Governing Body are attempting to overturn more than 50 years of international legal precedents that recognize the fundamental right to strike. Employers will profit mightily if they succeed, but at the expense of working and middle-class families and communities around the world.
BC's unions welcome occupational health and safety legislation; improvement only possible with demonstrated commitment to enforcement
February 12, 2015
After years of pushing the BC government to act, the BC Federation of Labour is pleased that the Minister of Labour has finally taken action on needed reforms to increase workplace safety and hold negligent employers accountable. Legislation was introduce February 10.
Don't break our hearts: raise the minimum wage
February 10, 2015
Following up on the vote by delegates to the 2014 BC Federation of Labour convention, a campaign to raise the minimum wage to $15 and hour in BC is building momentum.
A key component of the campaign is to hold monthly actions on the 15th of every month to advocate for the change. Increasing the minimum wage to $15/hour would put a full-time worker 10 per cent above Statistics Canada’s low-income-cut-off. Other cities, including Seattle and San Francisco are already moving to a $15/hour minimum wage.
Update on 37.5 hour work week grievances
February 4, 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 16 months since then, a lot has happened.
Women's Rights Committee Working for Change Workshop
February 4, 2015
Workers in community social services understand the major issues facing women, especially the core causes and impact of growing inequality in Canada. Are you interested in learning more about engaging members to become involved in advocating for change? HSA invites members to join us for a day of training that combines the opportunity to network with other HSA members working in community social services with training specifically focused on women and women’s issues.
Lab redesign at Provincial Health Services Authority
February 4, 2015
Provincial Health Services Authority has served section 54 notice informing the Health Sciences Professional Bargaining Association that it intends to introduce a change to Lower Mainland pathology and laboratory services. This change will affect the terms, conditions or security of employment of a significant number of health science professional bargaining unit employees.
Nominations open for HSA board members in Regions 1, 3, 5, 7, & 9
January 30, 2015
This year, Regional Director elections will take place in Regions 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. All HSA members in these regions are encouraged to put their name forward for these important positions.
The Board of Directors meets quarterly, and directors take an active leadership role in representing the union. They receive wage replacement at their regular rate of pay for the time they spend in official meetings. Part-time and casual members are reimbursed as if they were at work during the meetings they attend.