The BC Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation is coordinating a consultation to determine how to remove barriers and increase accessibility for people with disabilities in British Columbia.

The process includes a series of in-person community consultation sessions around the province scheduled from January 20 to the end of February.  Dates, locations and times are listed here.

83% of HSA RPNs reject raid campaign to date

Registered Psychiatric Nurses at Surrey Memorial Hospital and Abbotsford Regional Hospital have voted to stick with HSA despite an aggressive and well-funded raid campaign by the BC Nurses' Union and the Union of Psychiatric Nurses.

Take Action Against Domestic Violence

Over a recent 5 year period, an estimated 183,000 British Columbians were victims of domestic violence. Domestic violence impacts victims and their families and has a serious effect on those who witness it. Health care costs related to domestic violence in Canada are estimated to be in the billions of dollars. Social and emotional costs are significant.

Domestic violence occurs in all cultures and communities and is considered to be a major contributor to increased absenteeism, sick leave and lost productivity at work.

Plaque at l'Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal

A MESSAGE FROM JEANNE MEYERS, HSA LABOUR RELATIONS AND LEGAL SERVICES

HSA REPORT, DECEMBER 2013

As this issue of The Report goes to press, the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association has reached a tentative agreement for a renewed contract running from April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2019.

The proposed five-year agreement has a number of elements that I and the bargaining committee believe meet the needs of health science professionals.

A MESSAGE FROM HSA PRESIDENT VAL AVERY

THE REPORT, DECEMBER 2013

HSA and other unions have been hunkered down in ceaseless and difficult negotiations for almost five years.

The effort has expended enormous resources – resources that we need to focus on helping members deal with their daily workplace challenges.

So when mediators approached HSA and other unions about early negotiations for a five-year deal, we decided to listen.

Registered psychiatric nurses represented by HSA have a lot of questions about pressure tactics currently employed by the BC Nurses Union and the Union of Psychiatric Nurses. Both BCNU and UPN have recently pressured members already represented by HSA, and we've been getting questions about whether it's possible to cancel these memberships.

The deadline is now

HSA REPORT, DECEMBER 2013

In late November, the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association reached a tentative agreement for the 17,000 health science professionals delivering modern health care in BC's hospitals and communities.

Do I have to get the flu shot?
The policy upheld by the arbitrator states that if you do not get a flu shot, you can still work, but must wear a mask at all times during the declared flu season.

When does flu season start?
Flu season is declared by the Provincial Health Officer. It is typically declared between late-November and March.

 health care workers who don’t get a flu shot, or wear masks at work, face risk of being fired

An arbitrator has ruled on the controversial flu shot policy for health care workers, siding with the health authority policy that dictates all health care workers must get immunized against seasonal influenza, or wear a mask at all times during the declared flu season. Flu season is typically declared from late-November to March by the Provincial Health Officer.