"We need to be the BC Federation of Labour – not the Downtown Vancouver Federation of Labour."
That's how Jim Sinclair, BC Fed President, opened The fourth BC Federation of Labour Regional Conference was held June 6-7 in Kimberley. He was remembering the words of a delegate to the convention that saw the Federation move from annual to biannual conventions.
The BC Supreme Court has ruled that a group of public health care supporters that includes the BC Health Coalition and Canadian Doctors for Medicare, may submit expert evidence in a BC case that is attempting to destroy Canada's Medicare system.
On May 1st, a group of 20 HSA members from around the province and from a range of professions spent the day in Victoria.
HSA and its members played a big role in a recent event hosted by the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of BC.
HSA marked yesterday's expiry of the Canadian Health Accord with a public forum on mental health services.
BC HEALTH COALITION
The current Health Accord expires March 31st, 2014 and the federal government is refusing to renegotiate it. Expiration of the accord will result in a $36 billion dollar cut to public health care, and an additional $16.5 billion dollar cut to health care equalization payments.
On March 31, people across the country will be holding rallies to sound the alarm and let their MP's know that it is time to step forward and ensure that our health care system has a future. Here in BC, 8 communities are holding rallies - see list below.
Health Sciences Association of BC, a union representing mental health professionals working in hospitals and communities across the province, will hold a public forum on mental health services March 31 in Vancouver.
Bill 7, the Laboratory Services Act was introduced in the BC Legislature by the Liberal government on February 17, 2014, and is currently at the stage of first reading.
The proposed legislation makes significant changes in several areas, including the legislative framework, governance and funding models for medical laboratory services. A general overview of these changes is available here on the HSA website.
Ok, so we have a five year deal. How do you propose to take advantage of the break from bargaining?
Several HSA members are working with their professional associations to encourage the provincial government to regulate their professions under the Health Professions Act, and to create a joint regulatory college to oversee the practice of these health science professions. Approximately 6,000 HSA members would be regulated by this joint college.
