News & Updates
HSA welcomes new members at Whistler Health Centre
April 15, 2013
THE REPORT: APRIL 2013
Medical Laboratory technologists at (PHSA) Whistler Health Care Centre joined HSA on February 27.
The employees approached HSA about becoming members of the union and the decision to join was unanimous. This new chapter is a first – no other employees of Whistler Health Care Centre are unionized.
A little fairness is all we ask
April 4, 2013
THE REPORT: APRIL 2013
BY REID JOHNSONPRESIDENT, HSA
As The Report magazine went to press, our community social service members were just voting on their tentative agreement. But for most members, another hard round of bargaining has come to an end.
Members looking for change in BC election
April 4, 2013
THE REPORT: APRIL 2013
"I simply can't contemplate another four years of cutbacks and the impact that would have on my community," says Region 1 Director Anne Davis.
Danielle Garden, registered psychiatric nurse
April 4, 2013
THE REPORT: APRIL 2013
BY LAURA BUSHEIKIN
Registered psychiatric nurse Danielle Garden is a woman with a mission: making life better for psychiatric patients.
This goal shapes everything she does — her interactions with patients, her relationships with co-workers and supervisors, her career choices, and her union involvement.
A mandate to seek fairness
December 1, 2012
The Report: December 2012 vol.33 num.4
IN OUR LONG HISTORY, HSA MEMBERS HAVE RARELY FELT WE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PREPARE FOR A STRIKE.
Our health science professional members have only gone on strike three times before now, and the last time more than 11 years ago. Its not something we take lightly.
That is why it is so extraordinary that 90% of our health science professional members just voted in favour of a strike.
Job action: How will it affect you?
December 1, 2012
The Report: December 2012 vol.33 num.4
IN AN IDEAL WORLD, STRIKES WOULD NOT BE NECESSARY.
Employees and employers would meet at the bargaining table, discuss bargaining proposals based upon reason, justice and mutual respect. They would use objective data and negotiate a settlement. In reality, that is often what happens. However, sometimes there are significantly different points of view about what is -reasonable," -just" and -objective." When that happens, settlements depend on strength and determination.
PROTECTING OUR PATIENTS
Health science members vote to strike
December 1, 2012
The Report: December 2012 vol.33 num.4
HEALTH SCIENCE PROFESSIONALS DELIVERED A RESOUNDING 90 PERCENT STRIKE VOTE TO BACK THEIR BARGAINING COMMITTEE IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH BC'S HEALTH EMPLOYERS.
Rotating strikes support vulnerable families
December 1, 2012
The Report: December 2012 vol.33 num.4
SINCE 2004, THE BC LIBERAL GOVERNMENT HAS SLASHED $300 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED, VULNERABLE WOMEN, AT-RISK YOUTH, AND CHILDREN AND INFANTS IN COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS ACROSS THE PROVINCE.
Community social service workers have faced a decade of declining wages. The current starting wage for a residential care worker is $15.54 an hour. In 2002, it was $16.83. Factoring in inflation, thats a 22 percent wage cut.
Nurses tied down by tie-in
December 1, 2012
The Report: December 2012 vol.33 num.4
NURSES NEW CONTRACT MAKES ACCESS TO MEDICATION HARDER
PENSIONS Q AND A BY DENNIS BLATCHFORD, HSA PENSION AND BENEFIT ADVOCATE
Q. As a new HSA member who falls under the Nurses Bargaining Association (NBA) contract, could you please explain to me what the -PharmaCare tie-in" is all about?
Dean Elbe, Pharmacist
December 1, 2012
The Report: December 2012 vol.33 num.4
BY LAURA BUSHEIKIN
IS IT POSSIBLE TO STAND UP FOR YOUR PROFESSION USING 140 CHARACTERS OR LESS?
HSA member Dr. Dean Elbe says, -Yes, absolutely." Elbe, a Clinical Pharmacist at BC Childrens Hospitals Child and Adolescent Mental Health Program, used his Twitter account to help HSA galvanize opposition to a proposed 14 per cent rollback in pharmacists salaries earlier this year.