Health Sciences Association, the union representing over 20,000 specialized health and community social service professionals in communities across BC, today welcomed new investments to rebuild a health care workforce depleted by three years of pandemic workload.
Health Sciences Association of BC welcomes the BC government's decision to support the operations of Starbright Children's Development Centre with a new service agreement. Starbright was facing imminent closure after a pilot project on establishing centralized services for children and youth with special needs was awarded to another agency in January.
February is Black History Month. This month of observance is intended to highlight Black history, excellence, and joy, while also recognizing the ongoing systemic oppression and racism that Black individuals face.
The second HSA Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) report to members was released today. The union’s commitment to JEDI is essential to achieving HSA’s mission of being a collective voice, strategic priorities of service, engagement, rights, relationships, and resources, and finally, HSA’s vision of respectful workplaces.
Statement issued by The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE)
Shortage of health care workers driving health crisis
“Today, we are demanding the federal and provincial governments, make health care a greater priority by increasing its funding, by ensuring the money is used properly and by investing in the people who save lives every day. Combined, these things will help save the entire system.” — Bert Blundon, NUPGE President
Kane Tse, President of the Health Sciences Association, has released the following statement about Starbright Children’s Development Centre in Kelowna:
“Earlier this week, families with children needing specialized support services in Kelowna received terrible news.
After many months of dialogue and deliberation by the Racial Justice Working Group, the Terms of Reference for the Racial Justice Committee has been approved by the Board of Directors. HSA would like to express deep gratitude to those who have participated in the creation of these Terms of Reference, the Racial Justice Working Group: Anita Bardal, Donna Barker, Sonia Andhi Bilkhu, Lisa-Navine Dodd, Tammam El-Khodor, Jing-Yi Ng, Satnam Sidhu, and Kane Tse.
The Health Sciences Association of BC, representing over 20,000 specialized professionals working in health care and community social services, stands in solidarity with CUPE OBSCU workers who seek only fair pay for the hard work they do delivering critical work in Ontario’s schools.
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.
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.
