For most of us, the ability to speak is something we take for granted. For Meara Brown’s patients, however, communication is a skill they must relearn entirely. As a speech language pathologist specializing in laryngectomy care with Island Health, Meara restores voices—both literally and figuratively—by helping people who have undergone the removal of their larynx regain their ability to speak...

Most HSA members covered by the HSPBA collective agreement have had a fairly smooth transition to the new profile-based classification system since it was fully implemented on December 6, 2024. In many cases, the new system has resulted in an additional pay increase for members, and if that’s you, please take a look at the new wage schedules to confirm...

Editor’s note: Lisa has been elected to represent HSA Region 5 on the Board of Directors and will join the Board of Directors on adjournment of the 2025 HSA annual convention Friday, April 11. When a child walks into a hospital, it’s not only a sickness or physical condition they’re battling—it’s also their fear and uncertainty. For years, certified child...

A new national survey from National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) shows health care workers across Canada are struggling with short staffing, burnout, and inadequate wages. Almost 400 HSA members in BC participated in the nation-wide survey of more than 6,000 health professionals. The survey was conducted late last year. The survey results reinforce the importance of what...

Domestic Violence Workshop 2025: Trauma and Resistance Date: April 15, 2025 Time: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm (PST) Location: Virtual via Zoom HSA is pleased to have Vikki Reynolds return to facilitate this one-day workshop on responding to domestic violence by addressing power, justice, solidarity, and safety. HSA is pleased to have Vikki Reynolds return to facilitate this one-day workshop...

Nominations are now open for the position of HSA President, to be elected in April in an online vote open to all HSA members. The President is HSA’s senior elected officer, and oversees the union’s day-to-day operations, including staffing and budget management. The President is the union’s primary spokesperson and ensures that the policies and decisions of annual conventions and...

For social worker Arby Yeo and crisis intervention support worker Anne Wichmann, joining the multi-union CoDevelopment Canada (CoDev) delegation to El Salvador and Honduras was a chance to witness firsthand the power of international solidarity and the resilience of workers and women in Central America. CoDev, a Canadian organization that partners with grassroots groups in Latin America, has partnered with...

A message from HSA President Kane Tse As the specialized professionals working in so many critical positions in health care and community social services, we’re under a lot of pressure these days. Whether it’s workload driven by chronic shortages and unfilled vacancies, classification redesign problems faced by some professions, or the employers’ frequent lack of respect for or understanding of...