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.

HSA REPORT, MARCH 2014

Ok, so we have a five year deal. How do you propose to take advantage of the break from bargaining?

HSA REPORT, MARCH 2014

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.

HSA REPORT, MARCH 2014

Nicole Gilliss had a burning issue that motivated her to run for office.

"When I decided to run for council in 2011, there was no doctor in our little town of Hudson's Hope, and hadn't been for three years. I wanted desperately for council to work towards recruiting a resident physician," says Gilliss. "I've always been interested in politics, and I wanted to be part of decision making and solutions, instead of someone speculating and whining from the sidelines."

HSA REPORT, MARCH 2014

BY JEANNE MEYERS, LABOUR RELATIONS AND LEGAL SERVICES

As many members know, the process of transitioning to a 37.5 hour work week has been frustrating.

From the beginning, employers have misunderstood and misinterpreted the terms of the negotiated agreement. They have attempted to reduce hours of work, eliminate earned days off and even layoff members.

None of this is allowed by the agreement, which states that managers must work with staff in good faith to develop mutually-agreed schedules.

HSA REPORT, MARCH 2014

BY VAL AVERY, PRESIDENT, HEALTH SCIENCES ASSOCIATION

Negotiating contracts is a big part of what unions do for their members. But it's not the only thing.

Surrey Memorial Hospital RPNs Abi Ologani, Tanya Maksymiw and Amanda Farrand

HSA REPORT, MARCH 2014

A year ago, Tanya Maksymiw didn't know a lot about HSA.

In fact, the RPN didn't know a lot about any unions, despite belonging to one union or the other over the last 20 years.

And when HSA staff put on an information meeting on raiding at Surrey Memorial Hospital, she didn't go to get involved.

Codevelopment Canada, a BC-based non-governmental organization working for social change in the Americas, is inviting interested HSA members to travel to Nicaragua and Honduras to meet with and celebrate the accomplishment of women's groups supporting maquila workers.

The ten-day visit is scheduled for February 28 to March 9. Members are responsible for their own costs, estimated as $3500 to $4000.