A recent global survey found that fifty per cent of educated youths admit they dont know enough about HIV and AIDS, according to AIESEC International, the worlds largest student organization.

However, in the eight years since the United Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS was signed in 2001, HIV infections have been reduced by 17 per cent, according to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization.

In early November, the Fraser Health Authority announced a series of cuts impacting HSA members including social workers, registered psychiatric nurses and youth care counsellors. HSA has responded by presenting a variety of options to Fraser Health intended to minimize the effect of displacements on HSA members.  To date HSA and Fraser Health have been unable to reach an agreement to create a labour adjustment plan.

HSA invites its Fraser Health Authority members affected by the cuts and their stewards to attend special meetings to discuss the cut backs to social workers, registered psychiatric nurses and youth care counsellors. These meetings are an opportunity to get accurate information on your collective agreement rights from the union's labour relations specialists.

HSA also encourages members to access the Fraser Health intranet, and ensure that your seniority information is accurate.

SPECIAL MEETING FOR HSA SOCIAL WORKERS IN FRASER HEALTH AUTHORITY

(Vancouver) Today, Madame Justice Smith announced her ruling to allow the BC Health Coalition and their pro-medicare partners to participate as intervenors in the pivotal B.C. Supreme Court case launched by Dr. Brian Day and a consortium of private for-profit clinics against the B.C. Medical Services Commission and the provincial government.

No more cuts and broken promises!

Join representatives from across Vancouver Island to deliver their messages to Kevin Falcon & Gordon Campbell:  It's time to protect public health care, not destroy it!

Date:
Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Time:
12:00 Noon

Location:
Front Lawn of the BC Legislature, Victoria

Buses leaving from Campbell River, Port Alberni, Parksville & Nanaimo -- to book your seat, call 604-681-7945.

Despite a province-wide protest by parents against the elimination of specialized treatment for severely autistic children, 43 therapists were issued lay-off notice Friday at Queen Alexandra Centre for Children on Vancouver Island. The therapists are members of the Health Sciences Association of BC, the union that represents 16,000 health science professionals including autism intervention specialists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, and social workers who work with autistic children and their families.

December 6 this year marks the 20th anniversary of the 1989 Montréal massacre of 14 young women at the École Polytechnique.

Violence against women is still pervasive, and is rooted in social inequality. HSA members working in transition houses all across BC tell us that violence against women occurs at home and at work.

Did you know?  8 million Canadian workers have no pension or RRSP savings.

Date:
Thursday, November 5

Time:
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Location:
Justice Institute Theatre
715 McBride Boulevard
New Westminster, BC

Coffee and Refreshments will be available.

For more information call (604) 430-6766

OTTAWA ... An announcement by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty on regulations dealing with federally-regulated pensions is welcome but will have little if any immediate impact upon the pension security that Canadians are looking for, says Ken Georgetti, President of the Canadian Labour Congress.

-These changes result from consultations the government has held over the past year and some of them look good, but they dont deal with the pension crisis facing most Canadians," says Georgetti.

Moms on the Move is holding a provincial day of protest tomorrow, October 28, to remind BC Premier Gordon Campbell of his promise to build the best system of supports forchildren with special needs in Canada.

In the past several weeks, cuts to funding have been announced in a number of programs, including: