HSA welcomes today’s release of In Plain Sight, the report by Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond addressing Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination in BC’s health care system.
The report includes 24 recommendations for action, all focused on addressing the unacceptable experience of Indigenous people in the province’s health care system, as described in the report:
The Ministry of Health has released an updated policy concerning the wearing of masks by workers, patients, and visitors in all health care facilities, programs, and services. The policy applies to all facilities and settings where health care services are provided, including outpatient clinics, as well as long term care and seniors assisted living facilities.
HSA members began to raise concerns as soon as the COVID pandemic emerged early this year.
Following a comprehensive review of the Municipal Pension Plan, the pension plan for most HSA members, the Plan Partners – which includes employee and employer representatives who govern the jointly trusteed pension plan – have developed a package of proposed changes to update the plan.
In Alberta, front-line hospital workers who are members of the Alberta Union of Public Employees (AUPE) walked off the job earlier this week in response to news that Alberta Health Services would be cutting 11,000 jobs. HSA has sent a letter of solidarity to AUPE expressing our support for their fight against government cuts and health care privatization. The text of the letter follows:
Dear AUPE President Guy Smith
The BC Federation of Labour is hosting their first Indigenous Workers Gathering
This full day Gathering is open only to those who identify as Indigenous, and will feature deep connection, reconciliation planning, and goal setting. It will be facilitated by renowned Indigenous Planning Expert Elaine Alec.
WHEN: Wednesday, October 28 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm - and - from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
By HSA President Val Avery
Voting in our Provincial Election will take place this Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. This is one year before our next fixed-date election, which would have been on Oct. 16, 2021. The reality is that – early election call or not -- this provincial election was always going to be held during the COVID-19 pandemic.
By Zayn Wiwchar, HSA member
In February and July of 2020, the Victoria branch staff of the Canadian Mental Health Association joined HSA and entered the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) and the Community Bargaining Association (CBA) —a decision that has given me the opportunity to be a part of incredible changes in our office over the past year.
By Easter Tocol, HSA member 
“Where are you from? No, where are you really from?”
“I’m not a racist, I have so many friends of colour.”
“Well, shouldn’t all lives matter?”
These are just some of the racist microagressions that I hear every day in the workplace.
By Jill Slind, Co-chair of the HSA Young Workers' Advisory Group
As a full-time permanent employee with a few years of seniority under my belt in my unionized position in HSA, I knew when going into BC’s Phase One in March that my job in the healthcare sector wasn’t likely on the line.
