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.
Following this afternoons budget cut announcement by Fraser Health Authority, HSA began to receive reports from members and stewards that local managers were attempting to engage individual departments and members in discussions to make staffing cut decisions in certain departments.
HSA has advised Fraser Health Authority to halt the meetings, and to instead meet with the union to engage in an acceptable labour relations process to negotiate authority-wide labour adjustment strategies.
November 6 marks the second annual Community Social Service Workers Appreciation Day, an event to acknowledge and celebrate the vital role that these workers play in making communities better places to live.
Community social service workers represented by the Health Sciences Association work in child development centres, transition houses, infant development programs, community counselling centres, agencies for youths at risk, and various other crucial community service organizations.
Please join CUPE members and striking Ambulance Paramedics (CUPE 873) who will be holding a midday rally outside the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee headquarters in Vancouver. The B.C. Liberal government introduced -back-to-work" legislation against the Paramedics following an edict from VANOC directing them to end the strike.
Date: Friday, November 6, 2009
Time: 11:30 am
Place: VANOC HQ ... 3585 Graveley St. at Boundary
There is still room available in the two-day OH&S Steward Training workshop on November 23 & 24, 2009 please register as soon as possible if you are interested in attending this workshop.
OH&S Steward Training:
November 23 & 24, 2009
Eligible stewards should print a pre-registration (attached) and return it to the HSA Office (Attention: Karin Herbert) as soon as possible. HSA will call you to confirm your registration.
Following the protocol issued by BCs Medical Health Officer, beginning next week health care workers will be offered vaccination against the H1N1 virus. This includes all HSA members who work with vulnerable populations.
HSA encourages members to participate in the H1N1 vaccination program.
When you receive your H1N1 vaccination, you will also be offered vaccination against seasonal flu.
One of Canadas best labour schools, held at Harrison Hot Springs, in January and February 2010
The CLC Winter School offers a wide variety of week-long, quality labour orientated courses. Past HSA participants have rated the courses and the experience highly. The school offers an opportunity to meet people from other unions and workplaces across BC. To support HSAs ability to represent HSA members effectively and to help build a stronger union, members and/or stewards can apply to take courses chosen to meet these objectives.
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.
With the Heath Services and Support Community contract set to expire March 31, 2010, planning is underway to prepare bargaining priorities to present at the bargaining table.
HSA stewards will be setting chapter meetings to be held by November 11, 2009 to discuss and develop bargaining proposals. All HSA members covered by the Health Services and Support Community collective agreement are urged to attend these chapter meetings. You negotiating team needs your input.
