December 6, 2009 marks the 20th anniversary of the Montréal massacre of 14 young women at the École Polytechnique. HSA encourages members to take part in vigils and ceremonies to reaffirm our commitment to ending violence against women.

If you know of an event in your community that is not listed below, please contact Yukie Kurahashi at ykurahashi@hsabc.org. Check HSAs website at www.hsabc.org for updates to this schedule of events.

Last Thursday, HSA reached an agreement with Fraser Health Authority for social workers working in acute care facilities, as well as Queens Park Care Centre, who are facing job loss as a result of government-ordered budget cuts.

Today, as local and national governments around the world reaffirm their commitment to continue the fight against HIV and AIDS, BCs government is doing the opposite.

Effective December 1 ... World AIDS Day ... BCs Ministry of Health is imposing funding cuts to community-based HIV and AIDS service organizations, including AIDS Vancouver.

HSA has reached an agreement with Fraser Health Authority for social workers working in acute care facilities, as well as Queens Park Care Centre, who are facing job loss as a result of government-ordered budget cuts.

The measures are expected to reduce the number of involuntary layoffs and displacements, and give affected members options including voluntary reduction of hours, job-sharing, and support for education and relocation.

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.

(This information applies to HSA members of the Community Social Services Bargaining Association.)

On April 2, 2009, the constituent unions of the CSSBA entered into a Settlement Agreement with the Provincial Government to resolve litigation related to the Health and Social Services Delivery Improvement Act (Bill 29).