VANCOUVER -- In a reaction perhaps unique in labour annals, negotiators for the Health Sciences Association are so outraged by the provincial government's last contract offer that they have called off their latest round of job action.
British Columbia's health science professionals have called off upcoming rotating strikes after getting a new contract proposal from the government over the weekend, but the union says it's still not taking the deal.
Health science professionals in B-C aren't ready to accept the latest contract offer from the province -- but they say it has prompted them to call off rotating strikes.
X-rays technicians and those who conduct CT scans, MRIs, ultrasound, nuclear medicine and other procedures walked out last week and more lab service cuts were slated for today -- until they were cancelled yesterday afternoon.
X-rays, C-T scans, ultrasound and other important medical procedures will be available to the public again today after the union called off rotating strikes it began last week.
B-C's health science professionals were handed a new contract proposal by the province late Saturday, and that's made the union change its tack.
The second stage of strike action by members of the Health Sciences Association hits BC hospitals today.
Workers who deliver diagnostic imaging services like x-rays, CT scans and ultrasounds will scale back to essential services as part of an effort to pressure the government to come up with a better contract offer.
In spite of an agreement reached between HSA and other health care unions and the Ministry of Health last week, some members continue to get pressure to either produce evidence of vaccination against seasonal influenza, or wear a mask during the flu season, which was declared open December 1.
For members information, at the meeting held between the Ministry of Health, HSA, BCGEU and HEU November 30, the following agreement was reached:
While the policy remains on the books the mandatory provisions of it will not be enforced. This means:
Hospital pharmacists and medical imaging technicians plan to go ahead with brief strikes Thursday and Friday as a mediator attempts to reach a settlement with 16,000 health science employees at hospitals and clinics across B.C.
Negotiators for health science professionals and health employers have agreed to mediation nine months after bargaining began. Mediator Vince Ready was brought in by the parties this week.
-We are pleased to have Mr. Ready join us in trying to kick-start meaningful negotiations," said Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) Chief Negotiator Jeanne Meyers.
