News & Updates

HSA offers and provides access to scholarships and bursaries to all members and their children throughout the year. Please note below the announcement of a new scholarship, a reminder of approaching deadlines, and a reminder of an open call for an HSA scholarship. *New* CLC/UWCC POST-SECONDARY SCHOLARSHIP Through HSA's affiliation with the CLC members are eligible to apply for the...

HSA REPORT MAGAZINE, JUNE 2017 BC NDP Leader John Horgan pledged to fight for public servants during a speech to HSA convention delegates in May. "The people in this room, and the people outside this room, who work every day for a living, have not had someone watching their back," said Horgan. "I will have your back, and I'll be...

HSA REPORT MAGAZINE, JUNE 2017 BY GERI GRIGG HSA OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY OFFICER On March 13, the Toronto Star printed an article calling the incidence of violence toward health and social services workers an epidemic. HSA disagrees. The incidents of violence occurring in all HSA worksites, without a common cause is a pandemic. An epidemic happens when a single...

HSA REPORT MAGAZINE, JUNE 2017 BY DENNIS BLATCHFORD HSA PENSIONS AND BENEFITS ADVOCATE I received HSA's recent clarification on payroll changes and the reference to members' long-term disability contributions now being directed to the new Joint Health Sciences Benefit Trust (JHSBT). Since the JHSBT is now receiving benefit contributions, I'm wondering what members might expect now. The new JHSBT did...

CT TECHNOLOGIST KAREN HAMILTON AND X-RAY TECHNOLOGIST BRENDA HAUCK RECEIVE THE 2017 DAVID BLAND AWARD FROM REGION 7 DIRECTOR MARG BEDDIS. HSA REPORT MAGAZINE, JUNE 2017 Brenda Hauck, X ray technologist at Saanich Peninsula Hospital and Karen Hamilton, CT Technologist at Saanich Peninsula HospitaL, shared the 2017 David Bland Award. Hauck and Hamilton were recognized for their efforts to reduce...

HSA’s registered psychiatric nurses are reminded again that as a result of a settlement reached under the Nurses Bargaining Association, members may submit receipts for registration or renewal of their college fees as proof of eligibility for damages payment by the Nurses Bargaining Association. The damages that are being put toward the fees paid to the CRPNBC arise out of...

HSA members are urged to vote in the provincial election. The outcome of this election will have a profound effect on your working conditions, the health care and community services you provide, and other public services that your families, friends and communities rely on. Several ways to vote The last 2 days of Advance Voting are May 5 and 6...

Keynote: Working Together to Address Workplace Mental Health Creating a psychologically healthy workplace involves working together at all levels within an organization as well as understanding the institutional and environmental influences that guide mental health promotion and protection. This keynote will provide insight into interventions that help build individual resiliency through knowledge and awareness, and will address relational and social...

On Friday, April 28th, HSA President Val Avery will join leaders of the labour movement to honour workers killed or injured on the job with events across the country. The National Day of Mourning will be marked with a ceremony and march to the Legislature in Victoria, ending with a call to action for government and employers to do more...

The BC Nurses' Union has withdrawn its application to raid registered psychiatric nurses working at Vernon Jubilee Hospital. After RPN members of HSA had expressed a number of concerns about tactics being used by organizers from the Nurses' Union, HSA filed an unfair labour practice complaint with the BC Labour Relations Board. The LRB has ruled that the Nurses' Union...