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Budget fails to come clean on cuts to health care services says HSA

British Columbia families will bear the brunt of the provincial governments failure to adequately fund health care, Health Sciences Association of BC president Reid Johnson said in response to the provincial governments budget introduced today.

-This budget means that British Columbians, who rely on our health care system, will pay more for less." Johnson said.

The government will introduce additional costs to individuals and families by increasing MSP premiums by six per cent starting Jan. 1, 2010 ... and beyond, as the budget promises annual increases to the premiums.

NUPGE wants respirators for health care workers

PHAC should follow the 'precautionary principle' for everyone who comes in direct contact with the pandemic influenza virus and make a 'fit-tested NIOSH approved N95 respirator' available to each employee.

Ottawa (1 Sept. 2009) - The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) says all health care workers exposed to a pandemic flu virus like H1N1 should be given fit-tested NIOSH approved N95 respirators to protect them on the job.

Fall 2009 Pension Seminars for Municipal Pension Plan Members

The municipal Pension Plan continues to offer pension seminars to plan members.

Plan members have a choice of two seminars.  Your Pension, Your Future is for new and mid-career plan members. In this seminar, they'll explain pension benefits and help members understand how decisions they make today can impact their future pension income. Members will learn how to read their Member's Benefit Statement and find out how they can recover time from a break in service (such as general, maternity and parental leaves) to make the most of their future pension.

Lower Mainland health authorities issue press release regarding "Consolidation Opportunities"

The various Health Authorities in the Lower Mainland (VCHA, PHSA, FHA and PHC) today issued a press release dealing with "Lower Mainland Consolidation Opportunities".  The Union was only given the information, at a meeting with various Health Authorities, immediately before the press release was made public. The Union has not yet been provided any specific information in regards any potential impact of "consolidation" on the members of the Union.  

2009 Run for the Cure: Register today for Team HSA

This years annual Run for the Cure, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation's most important fundraiser, is Sunday October 4.

HSA has supported the run since 1997, and is one of three regional sponsors of the Run for the Cure. At every step from diagnosis to treatment and recovery, highly trained health science professionals use their expertise to help breast cancer patients.

The union urges HSA members and others to join the HSA team to run or walk for the cure October 4.

2010 should be a year to showcase health care in British Columbia, not cut the service patients depend on

Taking a tough stand on health care budgets will hurt British Columbia at a time it wants to shine, says Reid Johnson, president of the Health Sciences Association, the union that represents 16,000 health science professionals who provide the diagnostic, clinical, and rehabilitation services British Columbians count on for your good health.

Just last week, Health Minister Kevin Falcon was singing the praises of the fast-tracked breast cancer diagnosis clinics in the Lower Mainland as a key to early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

Kevin Falcon faces challenges in new cabinet post, say health science professionals

BCs Minister of Health Kevin Falcon faces immediate challenges in his new job, says Reid Johnson, President of the Health Sciences Association of BC.

 -Just this week, it was revealed that health authorities are facing financial pressures that could result in reduced services and increased user fees for British Columbians. In a growing province and where were seeing increasing acuity in the patients in the health care system, we need a focus on improving access to health care services ... not reducing access," he said.

NUPGE town hall meeting on the economy June 11

You are invited to a Nanaimo town hall meeting June 11 as part of a national campaign to allow Canadians from all walks of life input into the discussion about the current economic crisis and to ensure that
governments find solutions that work for all Canadians.

The -experts" had their chance. We tried it their way: it didnt work, and now its our turn.

HSA magazine takes top national award

At a national conference this weekend, the Canadian Association of Labour Media awarded its highest honour to The Report, the magazine for HSA members.

The Report won "Best Overall Publication" demonstrating the best combined use of writing, graphics, design, and editorial content and judgement.  The category includes all local, provincial, and national union publications produced by staff, including federations of labour across Canada