Following this afternoons budget cut announcement by Fraser Health Authority, HSA began to receive reports from members and stewards that local managers were attempting to engage individual departments and members in discussions to make staffing cut decisions in certain departments.

HSA has advised Fraser Health Authority to halt the meetings, and to instead meet with the union to engage in an acceptable labour relations process to negotiate authority-wide labour adjustment strategies.

Following the protocol issued by BCs Medical Health Officer, beginning next week health care workers will be offered vaccination against the H1N1 virus. This includes all HSA members who work with vulnerable populations.

HSA encourages members to participate in the H1N1 vaccination program.

When you receive your H1N1 vaccination, you will also be offered vaccination against seasonal flu.

Please be advised that Compass has now locked out union members working at retail food service locations in the Fraser Health Authority.

While picket locations do not impede other union members from going to work, the B.C. Federation of Labour and the United Steelworkers Local 2009 are asking union members to not use any of these food services while management tries to operate these sites.

• Date: Sunday, October 18th
• Time: 11 am - 1 pm
• Place: Kerry Park/The Sails (downtown Kelowna on Bernard Avenue)

Fresh on the heels of cutting funding for children with autism, the Ministry for Children and Family Development has abruptly cut off funding to the Infant Development Programs provincial office.

-Why are the BC Liberals picking on kids with disabilities?" asked Reid Johnson, President of the Health Sciences Association of BC.

Notice to HSA members of the Health Science Professional Bargaining Association:

From February 2008 to date, the HSPBA Bill 29 Education Fund has provided bursaries to more than 600 HSA members, supporting education ranging from one-day professional development courses to Masters and PhD programs.

This funding arose out of the unions negotiated settlement flowing from the Supreme Court of Canada decision that certain sections of Bill 29 were unconstitutional. This was one-time funding.

Health Sciences Association will hold a Bargaining Proposal Conference November 8-10, 2009 to prepare for bargaining of a new collective agreement for health science professionals. The current collective agreement expires March 31, 2010.

Elections for delegates to the Bargaining Proposal Conference will be held at regional meetings set for September and October 2009. The schedule of regional meetings follows.

Health care workers providing direct care ... in the same room or in close contact ... to SRI patients are advised to wear properly fit-tested N-95 respirators

Delegates to HSA's 38th annual convention April 24 and 25 called on the union to take action on publicizing the impact of cuts to legal aid services.

A concrete step members can take is to sign the WestCoast LEAF and Pivot Legal Society petition calling for the restoration of legal aid in the province.

Ambulance paramedics across B.C. will be in a legal strike position effective Wednesday, April 1, 2009. The members of CUPE 873 are going on strike to support their position at the bargaining table that would lead to wage equity with other emergency service workers.

As part of the paramedics job action, picket lines may be erected at facilities where HSA members work.

Members who encounter a picket line are urged not to cross the picket line. HSA members are protected under the collective agreement against disciplinary action for failure to cross a legal picket line.