Issues, Campaigns and Government Relations

“We are saddened to share that James Clancy, a trailblazer in the labour movement, a staunch advocate for social justice and former President of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), passed away on April 2, 2024,” said Bert Blundon, NUPGE President. “Our deepest condolences go to his partner, Debbie and his children Allison, Nick and Alex.” Clancy...

Our national union, NUPGE, along with CUPE, CUPW, PSAC, UNIFOR and USW sent a joint letter to Prime Minister Trudeau raising concerns about the recent decision to suspend funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the primary aid agency for Palestinian refugees in Gaza and throughout the region. In the...

On February 1, the Premier of Alberta announced a series of harmful policies attacking some of the most vulnerable members of our society – transgender youth and children. The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) condemns in the strongest possible terms these dangerous measures and stands with 2SLGBTQIA+ Canadians and their loved ones. “I am appalled at the...

The Core Member Engagement Team (CMET) is a hands-on union program that allows members to engage other members. During the six week program the members connected with different sites and helped with building chapters to help give people their voice in the union. Here is what the 2023 team worked on, in their own words. "We are eight members from...

OTTAWA – Canada’s unions welcome Canadian Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan’s introduction yesterday of Bill C-58, legislation to ban the use of replacement workers, and look forward to working with all Parliamentarians to strengthen the legislation to ensure workers’ rights are protected, and fairness is restored to the collective bargaining process. “We have seen years of record corporate profits while workers’...

Millions of people around the world have been marching in support of an immediate ceasefire in Israel-Palestine and to end the unprecedented humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza. Ceasefire NOW, supported by the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), which is a national union HSA is affiliated to, is making this urgent appeal to stage a pan-Canadian day of...

Last week, NUPGE – the National Union of Public and General Employees which HSA is a member of, made a $20,000 donation from its John Fryer Fund to Oxfam’s appeal to provide urgent humanitarian relief in Gaza. As soon as it is possible to provide humanitarian aid in Gaza, the donation will assist with the much-needed assistance, including food, water...

A new report from the Health Sciences Association of BC puts a microscope on the critical role of medical laboratory technologists in the health care system – and how acute staffing shortages are causing burnout and delaying patient care. Medical laboratory technologists (MLTs) are often invisible to the public, but health care would not function without them. At least 70...

It’s hard to believe that another Labour Day weekend has come and gone. I hope that many of you were able to get out to events around the province put on by local Labour Councils promoting and celebrating the work of the labour movement. To keep informed about the work of the Canadian Labour Congress, sign up for regular news...

This September 30 th marks the third annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. In 2021, following decades of Indigenous-led advocacy, the Government of Canada declared September 30 the “National Day for Truth and Reconciliation”. The declaration responds to Action 80 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, which calls for the creation...