HSA members have rejected a proposal to increase union dues in order to offset an unfunded liability in a union long term disability plan.

The proposal for a dues increase was rejected by a margin of 84% to 16%. More than 5,000 members ... or 30 per cent of the total membership ... participated in the vote.

The federal government plans to close the Kitsilano Coast Guard Station at the end of the summer, leaving all rescues in Vancouver harbour to the Sea Island Station in Richmond, 17 nautical miles away.
 
The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) asks you to add your voice to the growing number of elected officials and prominent British Columbians who are in opposition to this decision made without consultation or consideration of the value of the rescue services provided by Kits Station.

During Premier's meeting, Nova Scotia Citizen's Health Care Network holds press conference to outline their vision to improve Canada's public health care system.

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - July 19, 2012) - The BC Health Coalition is calling on the provincial government to undertake a full-scale review of all for-profit surgical facilities in the province in light of findings released by the Medical Services Commission yesterday. The MSC audit report shows that almost half of all the services examined at the Cambie and Specialist Referral clinics were eligible for public health insurance coverage, and that the clinics engaged in illegal billing regarding almost all of these eligible services.

The Joint Community Social Services Labour Adjustment & Education Fund is now accepting applications from members working in the community social services sector.   Successful applicants may receive up to $5,000 (lifetime maximum) to take eligible courses.

The labour adjustment and education funds are available through a grant from the provincial government resulting from a joint request made by the Community Social Services Bargaining Association and the Community Social Services Employers Association, during the negotiation of the 2010 ... 2012 collective agreement.

The federal government is turning its back on health care at a time when we need our elected leaders to help build a caring future for Canada. The current federal-provincial-territorial agreement on health care will end in 2014 and the federal government has walked away from the negotiating table with the provinces before negotiations have even started.

Late Monday evening, the BCGEU will commence a one-day job action at BC Liquor distribution centres in Vancouver, Victoria and Kamloops.

HSA members are encouraged to join the BCGEU members at each of the three locations throughout the action, but primarily from 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 3, 2012 until the action is over at the end of the day.  Please bring banners and signs that show your support.

Location details are as follows:

Q: Im scheduled to work July 1, and not on July 2. However, my employer says that I will not be getting paid at the -statutory holiday" rate for work on July 1. Is this right?

A: This year, July 1 falls on a Sunday. According to the federal Holidays Act, this means the legal statutory holiday is July 2. For 2012, members working July 2 will receive stat pay ... not those working July 1.

Negotiations aimed at concluding a new contract covering 16,000 health care and administrative workers in the Community Health Services and Support sub-sector continued last week in Vancouver. Talks will continue.

On Monday and again on Wednesday last week, the Health Employers Association of British Columbia (HEABC) presented a broad based benefits proposal.  The Community Bargaining Association (CBA) is reviewing the proposals and we will provide you with the details when the bargaining committee has been able to get clarity.