HSA is joining with unions across British Columbia, Oregon and Washington at a rally to stand in solidarity with workers who are struggling to keep their right to collectively bargain.

Two upcoming events in Vancouver:

Public Health and Social Justice:  Partners in Health reports on post-earthquake Haiti

Date:  Wednesday March 23, 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm

Location: UBC: Room 200, Hennings Bldg, 6224 Agricultural Road, (across the Main Mall from the Student Union Building)

To mark the 100th anniversary of womens day, HSA is making available celebratory stickers (click here to view sample).

As the Canadian Labour Congress recently noted:

Without question, Canadian women have made pension gains in recent decades. This is particularly true for women workers in the public sector, and women retirees with access to public pensions.

Question ... what do the players of Super Bowl champs the Green Bay Packers have in common with Wisconsins teachers, social workers, nurses and state employees?

Answer ... all are rising up in protest to the union-busting antics of Governor Scott Walker (for more see here).

WorkSafeBC has issued nine separate orders at two Victoria-area mental health facilities criticizing the failure of Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) to protect the safety of staff.

-This is a staggering number of WorkSafeBC orders issued against one employer," said HSA President Reid Johnson.

Johnson, who has worked on psychiatric wards as a social worker, said unstable psychiatric patients are often unable to restrain their violent behavior. Hospital management, he said, has to take responsibility for patient as well as staff safety.

HSA is holding a 2-day, non-partisan election campaign school for members who are interested in working on election campaigns or running for political office. The school will discuss opportunities for HSA members to be involved in municipal elections scheduled for the fall of 2011, as well as a likely federal election and possible provincial election in 2011.

If you want to help elect representatives who will support public health care and community social services, or are considering running for elected office, then HSAs election campaign school is for you!

Join Libby Davies, MP and Don Davies, MP, for an important discussion.

Thursday, January 20th:  7pm to 9pm
Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House
800 East Broadway @ Prince Albert, 1 block east of Fraser

With special guest panelists:

• Megan Leslie and Adrian Dix, Federal NDP and BC NDP Health Critics
• Rachel Tutte, Co-Chair of the BC Health Coalition
• Sylvia MacLeay, President of the Council of Senior Citizens of BC
• Guest speaker from Canadian Doctors for Medicar

HSA members who work at CML Healthcare on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland have voted to accept a new contract providing significant gains. The ratification votes were held last week.

For highlights of the agreement, see the November 23, 2010 bulletin.

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By Anne Davis
HSA member and transition house worker

The call comes late at night.  A woman is weeping; she says she has been beaten.  Its not the first time and the attacks are more brutal each time.  She is hurting and scared and doesnt know what to do.  She thought her children were sleeping but now she knows the oldest child was awake and listening; he is also hurting and scared.  Her partner has stormed out of the house; she doesnt know when he will return or what his mood will be when he does.  She doesnt know what to do.