Ottawa (24 January 2008) ... The 340,000-member National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is urging Canada's provincial and territorial premiers to adopt a comprehensive climate change plan when the Council of the Federation meets next Monday and Tuesday in Vancouver.
New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham is the current chair of the federation.
1. REGIONAL DIRECTOR ELECTIONS
A reminder that Regions 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 are holding elections for Regional Director. All HSA members in these regions are encouraged to put their names forward for nomination.
Ottawa (23 Jan. 2008) - A recent proposal by Dr. Brian Day, president of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), to create private medical schools in Canada is being condemned by Canadas largest organization of health science professionals.
HSA President Reid Johnson responds to the Jan. 18, 2008 editorial in The Province on the need for improved wait times in diagnostic testing.
In 2005, David Bland, a vocational rehabilitation counsellor and HSA member from Richmond Mental Health, was murdered at his workplace by a former client. His tragic death served as a sombre reminder that more needs to be done to prevent incidents of violence in the workplace and to protect health care and social services workers on the job.
HSA is offering scholarships and bursaries to all members and their children. We will be awarding ten scholarships for full-time studies, twenty bursaries for full-time studies and two aboriginal scholarships.
The criteria and details are set out on the application forms. To obtain a copy please see the HSA website: www.hsabc.org or contact your chief steward.
Tune into Shaw TV's Voice of BC with Vaughan Palmer Thursday night for a debate about health care policy between the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and the Fraser Institute.
The show will be broadcast on Thursday, January 10th from 8-9 pm and re-broadcast on Saturday at 10 am and Sunday at 2 and 8 pm. Outside Vancouver, please check your local listings for broadcast times.
There will be elections at all 3 levels of government during the next 18 months. A federal election is expected to be called in early 2008. Municipal and school board elections will be held in November, 2008. The provincial election is scheduled for May, 2009.
If you want to help elect representatives who will support public health care and community social services, or are considering possibly running for elected office yourself, then HSAs non-partisan campaign school is for you!
Campaign School Dates: January 31 & February 1, 2008
This year, Regional Director elections will take place in Regions 2, 4, 6, 8, & 10. All HSA members in these regions are encouraged to put their name forward for these important positions.
Directors meet, on average, every six weeks and take an active leadership role in representing the union. They will receive wage replacement for the time they spend in official meetings at their own regular rate of pay. Part-time and casual members are reimbursed as if they were at work during the meetings they attend.
HSA members will soon be preparing for the 2008 HSA Convention, to be held April 17, 18, & 19, 2008 at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown in Burnaby.
Conventions are where chapters from around the province determine the future direction of the union. Policies, actions, constitutional amendments, structural changes are all discussed and debated at convention.
