Dear Friend of Medicare,

Health care is a top-of-mind issue for all Canadians. Polls show that we want our universal public health care system Medicare - to be strengthened and protected, not privatized.

The upcoming federal election is a great opportunity to bring our issues to the attention of candidates throughout the province.

Do you want to connect with others in your community and help out with sign campaigns, all candidates' meetings, or other community activities to raise the profile of public health care?

We can help!

Right wing governments are using the economic downturn to attack collective agreements and workers' right. 

The B.C. Federation of Labour stands in solidarity with our brothers and sisters under attack by the Republican government of Wisconsin.

The -Budget Repair Bill" adopted by the states House of Representatives includes draconian measures that eliminate fundamental rights of Wisconsin public employees, cut real wages and attempt to destroy their unions. 

Following the US election, the Republican right launched an all-out attack on trade union and collective bargaining rights.  While other states have initiated anti-union legislation, Wisconsin has been the front-line of the assault, and a symbol of resistance to the conservative agenda. 

Advocates working to protect B.C.s universal public health care system are troubled by recent statements made by newly-appointed health minister Mike de Jong, hinting at a bigger role for the
private sector in health care delivery.

Speaking to media during his first day on the job, de Jong argued that patients do not care who owns the health care facility or employs the workers when they receive care.

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.