With HSAs annual convention just over a month away, candidates for president have completed a series of three all-candidates meetings held in Kelowna, New Westminster and Victoria.

HSA members at Vancouver Hospital are invited to enjoy a pizza lunch at meeting for a report on the presidential all-candidates' meetings held in March.

In addition to the report, members will have an opportunity to discuss resolutions to HSA's annual convention April 19-21.

Date: Thursday, March 29
Time: 12 noon to 1 p.m.
Place: Radiology Seminar Room
(Jim Pattison Pavilion, Ground Floor Room G884. Off the North hallway from the Diamond Courtyard)

The Nurses' Bargaining Association and HEABC have agreed to defer until 2008 the issue of allocating a one per cent market adjustment (wage increase) to Municipal Pension Plan inflation protection and benefits for retirees who were members of the NBA's constituent unions.

As a result, the one per cent market adjustment scheduled for April 1, 2007 will be added to the scheduled 2.5 per cent wage increase for NBA members, resulting in a total wage increase of 3.5 per cent.

On March 8th Canadians celebrate the 30th anniversary of International Womens Day. This important day was established in 1977 by the United Nations with the purpose of acknowledging the vital contribution of women to the strengthening of international peace and security.

Continue reading here (link to NUPGE website)

As of March 1, 2007, seven HSA members have been nominated to run for the position of HSA president. The new president will be elected Saturday, April 21 by delegates to HSA's 36th annual convention in Vancouver.

The public consultation phase of the provincial governments -Conversation on Health" has begun and will continue in different communities around the province until it wraps up in Vancouver on July 7. As health care professionals, HSA members have a great deal of expertise to contribute to this discussion about the future of public health care. As individuals, we have many questions and concerns about where Premier Campbell intends to take our health care system, and what it will mean for our communities, our families and ourselves.

Ottawa (19 Feb. 2007) - Canadian workplaces are dangerous places for an astonishing number of workers, says Statistics Canada.

Nearly one-fifth of all incidents of violent victimization occurred in the workplace in 2004, the agency reports in a first-of-a-kind study measuring criminal victimization on the job.

The Vancouver and District Labour Council is organizing a global solidarity school in Cuba in May.

The Global Solidarity School is the initiative of progressive Canadians involved in trade union and academic education. The school will combine educational programs with Cuban cultural explorations that extend well beyond a typical tourist experience.

See the attached poster for information, or visit the website at http://www.solidarityschool.ca/

Due to increased demand for steward training, HSA is offering the following course:

Steward Training Level 1 (3-day workshop):
May 7, 8 & 9, 2007

Please apply ASAP as workshops have been filling up quickly.

The B.C. government confirmed in Tuesdays throne speech that a controversial blueprint for health care is in the works in spite of its ongoing -Conversation on Health" consultation with British Columbians. The third of 16 Conversation on Health public forums takes place this weekend in Kelowna.

The throne speech promised -fundamental health reforms that increase individual choice and maximize the supply of health services within the budgets available."