Public rally on Sept. 13 in support of community social services

With a strong strike mandate backing members demands for a fair deal in General Services and Community Living Services, the Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA) will meet with employers on September 17 and 18.

Potential job action is likely without a change in governments restrictive so-called -cooperative gains" bargaining approach. It dictates that all public sector workers must find -savings" in their collective agreement to fund any wage increase.

In spite of the unions cease and desist request and an active arbitration about employers failure to adhere to certain terms and conditions negotiated in the 2010-2012 HSPBA collective agreement, employers continue to implement classification changes.

HSA, on behalf of the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association, charged that HEABC has contravened the collective agreement by failing or refusing to work towards fulfillment of the objectives outlined for the Joint Classification Committee, negotiated in the 2010-2012 collective agreement.

BCs Provincial Health Officer Perry Kendall yesterday announced new measures for influenza prevention among health care workers and patients.

HSAs annual fall regional meetings have been scheduled for September and October 2012. Regional meetings are an excellent forum for HSA members to review the issues and activities of the past year, and discuss the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

This year, the day-long regional meeting will be followed by a day-long disability management education workshop. The workshop will be relevant for HSA stewards in all sectors, and will cover a range of issues, including sick leaves, LTD, WCB, duty to accommodate, and return to work plans.

In May 2012, FORME Ergonomics was contracted by Marty Lovick, Senior Labour Relations Officer, Health Sciences Association of British Columbia, to investigate a query from a number of members regarding insufficient information  on cardiac ultrasonography contained in the Best Practices for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers package recently released by the Health Sciences Association. The objective was to complete a brief review of ergonomic concerns present in cardiac ultrasonography and determine whether additional information on this type of diagnostic sonography could be provided.

The federal government plans to close the Kitsilano Coast Guard Station at the end of the summer, leaving all rescues in Vancouver harbour to the Sea Island Station in Richmond, 17 nautical miles away.
 
The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) asks you to add your voice to the growing number of elected officials and prominent British Columbians who are in opposition to this decision made without consultation or consideration of the value of the rescue services provided by Kits Station.

HSA is holding a 2-day, non-partisan election campaign school for members who are interested in working  on election campaigns or running for political office.  The school will focus on opportunities for HSA members to be involved in the May 2013 provincial election, but will also touch on municipal and federal elections. 

If you want to help elect representatives who will support public health care and community social services, or are considering running for elected office, then HSAs election campaign school is for you!

HSA is joining with community social service workers in Victoria to invite members and the community to a summer picnic to celebrate the work of the dedicated people who work every day with some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

Community social services workers around the province have voted strongly in favour of job action to back their bargaining proposals.  Members in General Services have voted 85 per cent in favour of strike action. Members in Community Living Services voted 90 per cent in favour.