Issues, Campaigns and Government Relations

Lower Mainland rally to support teachers set for Wednesday
HSA members who are able to attend are encouraged to support striking teachers at a rally Wednesday, March 7.
- Date: Wednesday, March 7
- Time: 2 p.m.
- Place: Vancouver Art Gallery (Hornby & Georgia)
The following speakers will be featured at the rally:
UPDATED EVENTS: March 8: Unions are leading the fight for womens equality
BC Teachers Federation and B.C. Federation of Labour to rally in Victoria next week to oppose Bill 22 and to support a fair and negotiated agreement for BC teachers
The BC Teachers Federation (BCTF) and the B.C. Federation of Labour today announced they will be holding a Rally at the BC Legislature next week.
-Teachers are tremendously heartened by the solidarity and support we have felt coming from union members all across BC," said BCTF President Susan Lambert.
-People understand that Bill 22 threatens the quality of public education for their children and grandchildren. Its just the latest example of this governments assault on all public services in BC."
Candlelight vigil in memory of farmworkers killed in unsafe van
The B.C. Federation of Labour will hold a candlelight vigil in memory of three farmworkers who were killed in an overloaded and unsafe van in 2007.
- Date: Sunday, March 4, 2012
- Time: 3:00 pm
- Location: Abbotsford Civic Plaza
32315 South Fraser Way
Abbotsford, BC
Sarbjit Kaur Sidhu, Amarjit Bal and Sukhvinder Kaur Punia were killed on the morning of March 7, 2007 when the unsafe and overloaded labour contractor van in which they were travelling crashed on Highway 1 near Abbotsford.
Striking teachers will not picket schools; HSA members in schools advised to report for work
As therapists, counsellors, youth workers, and in many other professions, HSA members regularly work at schools across BC.
BCTF news release: Teachers will withdraw services to protest Bill 22, worsening classroom conditions
Next Monday, March 5, teachers across British Columbia will begin a legal three-day full-scale withdrawal of services, as permitted under the Labour Relations Board interim essential services order. At 6:00 a.m. today, the BCTF issued notice of the escalation to the BC Public School Employers Association.
Labour movement calls for withdrawal of Bill 22; return to bargaining
The BC Liberal government still has the ability to prevent a crisis in our public education system; withdraw Bill 22 and return to the bargaining table without condition and with the help of a professional mediator.
Labour adjustment plan reached in Interior Health lab reorganization
HSA and Interior Health Authority (IHA) have arrived at a Labour Adjustment Plan that reduces the negative impact on members caused by the IHAs wholesale restructuring of lab services.
Under the restructured system, 52 members will be affected. There are 58 positions available for those members.
As health care and other public services continue to suffer, Liberal government focuses on tax breaks, says HSA president Reid Johnson of todays budget release
HSA President Reid Johnson, in Victoria today for the unveiling of the 2012 provincial budget, said the Liberal government ‘s budget plan has failed to address the needs of British Columbians.
-Instead of trying to kick-start the provinces economy with tax credits for a few wealthy first-time homebuyers and promises of less red tape for business, the BC government should have used Budget Day 2012 to come up with real solutions to growing challenges British Columbians face in their everyday lives," Johnson said.