Important information for HSA members affected by the order

HSA has learned that a Provincial Health Officer order from April 2020 restricting health care workers from working at multiple sites was lifted in Vancouver Coastal Health Authority by an exemption issued by the local Medical Health Officer on July 7, 2022.

The employer failed to inform the union of the change affecting health care workers at long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities, and provincial mental health facilities.

Important information for HSA members affected by the order

HEABC has announced that a Provincial Health Officer order from April 2020 restricting health care workers from working at multiple sites will be lifted effective January 1, 2023.

The order affects health care workers at long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities, and provincial mental health facilities, and had an impact on provisions of the HSPBA collective agreement. An estimated 800 HSA members were affected.

Following a major victory by HSA, close to $10 million will be paid out to health sciences professionals covered by the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) 2014-2019 collective agreement. HSA is the lead union in the HSPBA, which represents 20,000 specialized health professionals working in hospitals and communities across BC.
 

In recognition of the state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II, the government of BC has advised provincial public sector employers to honour Monday, September 19, 2022 as a holiday. 

HSPBA negotiations, led by HSA and conducted by professional negotiators, subject experts on labour relations issues, and members elected by their colleagues to bring front-line perspectives, were busy over the summer working through discussions at small group tables to address issues of health and safety. The resumption of full negotiations returns the focus of discussions to wider issues, including wage proposals which seek to compensate for the current inflationary pressures on members.

As we enter the summer, unions leading negotiations for health science professionals (Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association - HSPBA), community health (Community Bargaining Association – CBA) and community social services (Community Social Services Bargaining Association – CSSBA) continue to co-ordinate efforts to speak with a louder voice to support common goals.
 

Since its launch, the Emergency Health Provider Registry (EHPR) has adapted to respond to health system emergencies (including floods, wildfires, and other climate-change related disasters) and the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 10,000 people are currently registered with the EHPR and the Ministry of Health is undertaking a refresh of the system to update registrant information and improve our capacity to contact and deploy registrants in a timely way.

Please note that applications for this fund are not yet open. Members will be notified when application forms are available.

The Health Sciences Association of BC is pleased to announce $3 million in new funding for professional development of health science professionals. The new funding, secured from the BC Ministry of Health, is the latest in the union’s long-standing program of support for the professional development of members, building on $3 million provided in 2018 and another $3 million in 2021.

The BC government’s Ministry of Health has introduced a new program that will help MRI technologist students graduate earlier and enter the workforce sooner, an initiative that will help tackle serious shortages in one of the key health science professions.

HSPBA Bargaining Update: Frequently-Asked Questions on Bargaining and Job Action

The HSPBA bargaining committee is engaged in focused discussions with the employer through most of June. The discussions are being led by subgroups of the committee negotiating matters related to managing union leave disputes and expedited arbitration procedures.