News & Updates

The following message is important information for all HSA members covered by the Community Social Services Collective Agreement. CSSEA and CSSBA have agreed on the distribution of the April 1, 2021 Low Wage Redress (LWR), which will take effect on the first full pay period following April 1, 2021. Wage schedules outlining the new hourly wages are available on the...

On Dec. 6, 1989, 14 women were murdered in an act of misogynist violence at École Polytechnique in Montréal. It was perpetrated by a man claiming to be “fighting feminism,” who first opened fire on women in a mechanical engineering class. Women were targeted because of their gender, and 13 students and one administrator were killed. In 1991, the Parliament...

HSA welcomes today’s release of In Plain Sight, the report by Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond addressing Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination in BC’s health care system. The report includes 24 recommendations for action, all focused on addressing the unacceptable experience of Indigenous people in the province’s health care system, as described in the report: “Indigenous people want to see change. They want...

2021 Canadian Labour Congress Winter School (VIRTUAL) UPDATED BULLETIN - see additional scholarship opportunity available One of Canada's best labour schools, for the first time ever virtually in January and February 2021. The CLC Winter School offers a wide variety of four-day, quality labour-oriented courses. To support HSA's ability to represent HSA members effectively and help build a stronger union...

The draft 2019-2022 Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) contract is now available on the HSA website for members to download or use online.Members and stewards should be aware that this draft version may contain errors and omissions that will be corrected over the next few months as the agreement is finalized and printed. Once the printed version is finalized...

The Ministry of Health has released an updated policy concerning the wearing of masks by workers, patients, and visitors in all health care facilities, programs, and services. The policy applies to all facilities and settings where health care services are provided, including outpatient clinics, as well as long term care and seniors assisted living facilities. HSA members began to raise...

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) released a statement this week condemning the endorsement on behalf of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) by President Hassan Yussuf of Bill Morneau's candidacy for the position of Secretary-General of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and develiopment (OECD). The endorsement was made in a joint statement with the Canadian Chamber of...

HSA is offering scholarships and bursaries to all members and their children. Ten scholarships will be awarded for full-time studies, twenty bursaries for full-time studies and four bursaries for part-time studies. Two indigenous bursaries will be awarded to indigenous students in BC. The criteria and details are set out on the application forms available on the HSA website. Completed application...

In preparation for the rescheduled 2020 Annual Convention, HSA's Annual Report is now available for all members to read at http://www.hsabc.org/about/annual-reports. Featuring executive reports from HSA's President and Executive Director of Labour Relations and Legal Services, reports from HSA's committees, and audited financial statements, the Annual Report provides members and the public with transparency and operational accountability.

Following a comprehensive review of the Municipal Pension Plan, the pension plan for most HSA members, the Plan Partners – which includes employee and employer representatives who govern the jointly trusteed pension plan – have developed a package of proposed changes to update the plan. The proposed changes are complex and linked: a change to one part of the plan...