Significant job action will take place in Community Living next week across British Columbia.

The Community Social Services Bargaining Association is strategically escalating job action to continue
pressuring the BC government. After nearly a year of bargaining, the employer - the Community Social
Services Employers Association - has not even made a monetary offer at the bargaining table.

Mediator Vince Ready facilitated resumption of discussions between the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) and Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) this week.

HSPBA Chief Negotiator Jeanne Meyers said the two days of discussion on Monday and Tuesday were productive.

Therapists, counsellors, and other workers at Central Okanagan Child Development Centre will be off the job Wednesday, as part of rotating job action in the community social services sector. The workers are represented by the Health Sciences Association.
 
HSA President Reid Johnson said professionals providing these crucial services deserve a fair deal. -Our members at COCDA work with infants, children, and families to provide support, therapy, and counselling," he said.
 

HSAs 2013 Annual Convention will include an election for the position of president, a full-time position that carries a two-year term.

All members in good standing are eligible to run for president when nominated in writing by six members.

Nominations for president are open until the final call for nominations takes place on the last day of convention Saturday, April 20, 2013.

Candidates for president may submit a statement of up to 400 words and a photograph for inclusion in the Annual Report, circulated electronically to members prior to the convention.

Health care unions have won a significant victory protecting the rights of sick and injured workers who were being punished by Vancouver Coastal Health.

Information session on Community Health Services and Support tentative agreement

HSA and other unions in the Community Bargaining Association are hosting a Telephone Town Hall to provide members with information about the new CBA tentative agreement, as follows:

Wednesday, January 23
7:00 pm, PST

Members of the union bargaining committee will be available to answer your questions regarding the new agreement.

PLEASE FORWARD TO ALL HSA MEMBERS AT CML

CML members at LifeLabs locations must use alternate entrances during BCGEU job action BCGEU members who work at private medical laboratories owned by LifeLabs will begin rotating strikes at various LifeLabs locations on Monday, January 21 and Tuesday, January 22.

As outlined earlier this week, the multi-union Community Health Services and Support Bargaining Association has reached a tentative collective agreement with the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC).

After meeting this week, HSAs board of directors recommends support for the tentative contract.

As you know, the Health Sciences Association is currently attempting to negotiate a new employment contract with the BC government.

Last month, after months with no offers from the government, HSA led a series of rotating strikes involving members like you. The strikes were called off when the government tabled a new offer.

Wed like to find out more about what you think about the offer made by the government.

We will be conducting an on-line poll over a two week period beginning Friday and ending on February 1 at 5:00 pm.

HSA invites women in our union to join us to celebrate International Womens Day.  Building on last year's success, HSA will be holding a two day workshop to celebrate International Women's Day, and learn about Women For Change on March 7 and 8, 2013 at the HSA office.

Through this workshop, HSA is providing the opportunity for members to combine IWD events and in-house HSA training.