HSA REPORT MAGAZINE, SEPTEMBER 2016

Member surveys reveal that workload and shortages continue to be the greatest workplace concern -- and HSA is taking action.

After consulting extensively with members through a series of surveys over the summer, HSA is rolling out a multi-level effort to raise public awareness and get the provincial government to take action on the dire shortage of health science professionals. These shortages continue to create unsafe levels of workload, and contribute directly to wait lists that put patients' lives on hold, or at risk.

Your elected HSA representatives and staff have been hard at work since the union's 45th convention in May. The upcoming regional meetings will be a good opportunity to provide updates on that work, and a chance for stewards and other activists to connect and discuss the issues in your region.

In preparation for those meetings, please take a few minutes to review some of the important work HSA has been involved in.

HSA REPORT MAGAZINE, SEPTEMBER 2016

HSA members are looking ahead to the May 9, 2017 provincial election, and getting the training they need to make a real difference. Stasia Hasumi is already jumping in with both feet.

"I've been a community activist for a while, but after serving on HSA's Political Action Committee last year, I saw how important it is to help elect candidates who will fight for the things we believe in," says Hasumi. "I got involved in last fall's federal election, and am already working on next year's provincial election."

Members have told HSA that workload issues caused by shortages of key health science professionals have reached critical levels.

In a series of surveys conducted over the summer, members from across BC and a range of professions expressed concern that workload was making it difficult to deliver quality care, and leaving patients waiting too long for important procedures.

To address these concerns, HSA has launched a new province-wide ad aimed at raising public awareness of how shortages of health science professionals is impacting wait times and health care.

HSA has sent a letter of support to the US Association of Vascular and Interventional Radiographers, whose members are now threatened by policy changes that would allow nurses to perform their laboratory and imaging work.

"As the union representing 75 unique health science professions here in BC, we know that these professions require extensive training and unique skills," writes Val Avery, president of HSA.

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HSA REPORT MAGAZINE JULY 2016

The outcome of the May 2017 provincial election will have a huge impact on HSA members, and the patients and clients we serve.

"HSA is a non-partisan union, and proudly so," says HSA President Val Avery.

"But that doesn't mean we won't warn our members –or the public – about dangerous, short-sighted policies proposed by governments of any stripe."

That's why HSA members may apply for support from HSA's Political Action Fund to work on election campaigns, attend election campaign training, or even run for political office.

Over the past 5 years, the BCNU leadership has taken an aggressive and adversarial approach that undermines the autonomy and professional integrity of HSA members in their workplaces and in their union. These actions have resulted in the expulsion of BCNU from the BC Federation of Labour, Canadian Labour Congress and other progressive bodies across Canada.
 

HSA REPORT MAGAZINE, APRIL 2016

Val Avery, President, HSA

We often find our greatest strength when confronted by adversity.

As a physiotherapist, I have seen people discover incredible resources inside themselves, and use them to overcome great odds. And I think every one of us working with patients and clients have seen this time and again.

People are tough and adaptable. Organizations can be too – if they listen to and engage the people they represent.