By James Clancy
National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE)

Ottawa - We're long overdue for serious tax reform in this country. Most Canadians agree on this. But the new unfair Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) in Ontario and BC is not what most of us had in mind.

Earlier this year the Harper government reached agreements with Ontario and BC to merge the provincial sales tax (PST) and federal goods and services tax (GST) into a single harmonized tax (HST). The new HST is an unfair tax for two key reasons.

The H1N1 vaccine has just been approved for use across Canada and the vaccination program for BC will begin shortly.
 
This approval is based upon positive results of clinical trials of the vaccine in Europe. 
 
As with any seasonal flu vaccination campaign HSA encourages members to participate.  Vaccination is an integral part of the prevention against serious health risk. 
 
Health care workers will be among the first to be offered the vaccine in BC along with:
 

HSA President Reid Johnson will join concerned families at a rally to save services for children in Kelowna Sunday, Oct. 18.

Date: Sunday, October 18
Time: 11 a.m.
Place: Kerry Park (The Sails) Downtown Kelowna

For information about how to get involved, contact bcautism@gmail.com

Labour Relations Board rules USW pickets cant block workers or patients

Members of United Steel Workers (Local 2009) are fighting for a fair collective agreement with Compass Canada. The members are amongst the lowest paid workers in the health sector, and are fighting for equality with other workers doing the same work.

In September, the Labour Relations Board ruled that Compass workers could, if necessary, put up limited pickets at facilities in the Fraser Health Authority.

The October 18, 1929 decision in the -Persons Case" held that Canadian women were -persons" under the law, and thus could be appointed to the Senate and established more generally that Canadian women had the same rights as Canadian men with respect to positions of political power.

To mark the 80th anniversary of the Persons decision, the Canadian Women Voters Congress is holding a half-day workshop including speakers, discussion and reflection related to the politics of womens lives.

Event information:

Fresh on the heels of cutting funding for children with autism, the Ministry for Children and Family Development has abruptly cut off funding to the Infant Development Programs provincial office.

-Why are the BC Liberals picking on kids with disabilities?" asked Reid Johnson, President of the Health Sciences Association of BC.

Two upcoming workshops highlight the importance of labour activists engagement in working towards peace, economic justice, and international solidarity.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 17TH 2009
9:30 am ... 3:30 pm
Maritime Labour Centre
1880 Triumph Street, Vancouver

A resolution* calling for immediate government action to prevent the growth of for-profit medical clinics is on the agenda at this weeks Union of BC Municipalities Convention being held in Vancouver.

"I brought forward this resolution because I think that public health care in Canada is one of our most precious assets. As stewards of our communities, municipalities and the UBCM have an opportunity and responsibility to do what we can to protect health care services on behalf of our residents," said Victoria City Councillor Sonya Chandler.

The 2009 Run for the Cure ... the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundations most important annual fundraiser ... is this Sunday, October 4.

The Health Sciences Association of BC (HSA) has supported the run for the past 12 years, and encourages anyone who has been touched by breast cancer to Run for the Cure all across BC on October 4.

USW members of Local 2009 are fighting for a fair collective agreement with Compass Canada. The members are amongst the lowest paid workers in the health care sector and are fighting for equality with other workers doing the same work.

Compass is not negotiating with the union at this time and need the support of their colleagues at Royal Columbian Hospital and Peace Arch Hospital to achieve a fair contract from Compass Canada.