Stewards play a vital role in the union. Particularly important is the steward's role in contract interpretation, organizing and the grievance procedure. In recognition of the need for educating new stewards in these areas, HSA is offering four 3-day Basic Steward Training workshops at the HSA office as follows:

Dates: 
January 11–13, 2016
January 25-27, 2016
February 22–24, 2016
April 11-13, 2016

Location: HSA Office, 180 East Columbia Street, New Westminster

HSA is offering scholarships and bursaries to all members and their children. Ten scholarships will be awarded for full-time studies, twenty bursaries for full-time studies and four bursaries for part-time studies. Two aboriginal bursaries will be awarded to aboriginal students in BC.

With flu season around the corner, HSA members are reminded of the provincial influenza control policy in effect in BC.

In spite of changes in other provinces, the flu prevention policy in BC has not changed, and health care workers who choose not to be vaccinated have options available to them, including wearing a surgical mask.

Health care workers must report their vaccination status confidentially through an on-line form.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Starting with the first pay period after February 1, 2016, most HSA members can expect a pay hike of 0.45% over and above the 5.5% increase rolling out over the life of the current contract.

This increase is the result of the Economic Stability Dividend, a feature of the current agreement which requires the government to increase negotiated wages as a portion of provincial economic growth when it exceeds official forecasts.

Elections will be held during the coming few weeks to select members to fill the following HSA positions for the coming year:

1. Chief Steward
2. Assistant Chief Steward
3. General Stewards
4. Occupational Health & Safety Stewards and
5. Labour Council Delegates (for chapters that are, or wish to become, affiliated to their local labour council).

An arbitrator has ordered employers to use a revised medical information form following a grievance filed by the union bargaining association that represents Community Social Services workers.
 
The new information form offers a balance between an employee’s right to privacy and an employer’s right to information.
 

Last week, HSA launched a series of radio ads designed to promote the work of our diverse professions.

The series of five ads, broadcasting on radio stations across the province for the next six weeks, demonstrate how our many professions connect to each other, and how we connect the public to modern health care.

You can listen to the ads here:

On Tuesday, HSA launched a new series of ads designed to promote the work of our diverse professions.

The series of five ads, appearing on radio stations across the province for the next six weeks, demonstrate how our many professions connect to each other, and how we connect the public to modern health care.

You can listen to the ads here:

Last month over 50 RPNs from around BC came together for the RPN Summit on Workplace Violence at the HSA Head Office.
 
Today, we’re releasing a video featuring HSA RPN members as they share their experiences with violence in the workplace.