HSA members who work in a supervisory role will have the opportunity to attend a one-day workshop in Vancouver at the HSA office.

• Monday,  May 31, 2010
• Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Supervisors have particular concerns and needs and sometimes feel -caught in the middle".  One of the goals of the "Supervisors in the Union" workshop is to resolve apparent conflicts and clear the lines of communication between supervisors, stewards and HSA in order to improve working relationships.

HSA members in Region 6 have elected Anita Bardal, a medical radiation technologist at St. Pauls Hospital, as their representative on the unions Board of Directors.

The other candidates for election were James Lyons, a medical radiation technologist at Mount St. Joseph Hospital, and Mo Norton, a program support clerk at North Shore Community Health Services.

No new contract
HSA has learned that members may be hearing rumours that a tentative collective agreement has been reached between the unions and employers in the community social services sector.

-These are just rumours," said HSA President Reid Johnson.

-Last fall, negotiations were undertaken, but the talks collapsed December 17.  While there have been informal discussions, there is no bargaining happening at this time," he said.

On June 4, 2010 WorkSafeBC's Health Care Services is hosting the 6th Annual Health Care Professional Conference at the West building of the new Vancouver Convention Centre — one of the citys most breathtaking venues.

The conference, geared towards clinical and physical rehabilitation providers, as well as other health care professionals, promises a full day of top-notch presentations by field experts.

Reminder for Victoria-area members:

Members on the island are invited to participate in the -Walk for Community Social Services" planned for Victoria on March 27. The walk celebrates the vital role of community social services.

City:   Victoria, BC
Date:  Saturday, March 27
Time:  Gather at Centennial Square at 10:30am; wrap-up BBQ at noon

A poster and pre-registration information are attached.

Talks got underway today in Burnaby for a new collective agreement for health science professionals who deliver the critical diagnostic, clinical and rehabilitation services British Columbians depend on for their good health.

Reid Johnson, President of the Health Sciences Association of BC, said the bargaining committees mandate is to achieve a collective agreement that protects quality health care and values the work of health science professionals.

OHSAH to Publish Research on Nurses Working Overtime

A new OHSAH study, led by the Statistics and Evaluations team's Occupational Hygienist Sharla Drebit, shows that full time Registered Nurses are working an increasing amount of overtime hours each year. The highest number of these hours are in the Emergency, Intensive Care and General Medical departments which are therefore contributing the highest proportion of overtime costs. One recommendation from the study is to focus efforts to lighten the burden of overtime at the departmental level.

Highlights effects of health and social service cuts

This week, the Coalition to Build a Better BC announced that more than 25 groups have joined together to oppose provincial government funding cuts and to work on real solutions to build a better province. HSA is among the members of the Coalition, which includes groups from the arts community, first nations, health care, community services, organized labour, post-secondary students, youth, environmental and faith groups.

International Womens Day: When our mothers entered the workforce a generation ago, job postings still listed higher wages for men ... -mens rates" ... alongside lower -womens rates," for people working side by side, doing exactly the same job.

While women have fought for and achieved many significant gains, the wage gap between women and men today remains staggering: almost 30 per cent. Women working full-time still only make 70 cents for every dollar men are paid.

All HSA members are welcome to attend and speak at HSAs Annual Convention in Vancouver April 15-17, 2010, at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.   Only delegates, however, receive financial support to attend, and have the right to vote at convention.

For chapters with 49 or fewer members, the HSA chief steward is the sole delegate.  If the chief steward is not attending convention, an alternate should be identified.  Chapters with more than 49 members are entitled to one additional delegate for each additional 50 members or portion thereof.