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 discuss opportunities for HSA members to be involved in municipal elections scheduled for the fall of 2011, as well as a likely federal election and possible provincial election in 2011.

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!

The four health authorities operating in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley ... Fraser Health Authority, Providence Health Care, Provincial Health Services Authority, and Vancouver Coastal Health Authority ... announced this week plans for consolidating and restructuring health records administration.

The employer issued Section 54 notice to HSA. The notice is a requirement of the BC Labour Code if an employer intends to make changes that affect the terms, conditions, or security of employment of a number of employees.

Join Libby Davies, MP and Don Davies, MP, for an important discussion.

Thursday, January 20th:  7pm to 9pm
Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House
800 East Broadway @ Prince Albert, 1 block east of Fraser

With special guest panelists:

• Megan Leslie and Adrian Dix, Federal NDP and BC NDP Health Critics
• Rachel Tutte, Co-Chair of the BC Health Coalition
• Sylvia MacLeay, President of the Council of Senior Citizens of BC
• Guest speaker from Canadian Doctors for Medicar

Six years ago, 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 ands social services workers on the job. 

A tentative agreement has been reached between the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) and Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC).

Health science professionals are members of the modern health care team who deliver clinical, diagnostic and rehabilitation services in hospitals and communities throughout the province.

Reid Johnson, HSA president, said the agreement meets objectives set by HSAs bargaining proposal conference in November 2009, despite bargaining in a tough economic climate.

In past years, the Health Sciences Association has marked the holiday season with cards of thanks and greetings to activists, colleagues, supporters and suppliers to thank you for the work you do with us throughout the year.

Talks between the unions representing BC's community based social services workers and the Community Social Services Employers Association (CSSEA) have broken off a little more than a week away from Christmas.

The lost year
The collective agreement expired at the end of March this year. All terms and conditions ... except the employment security provisions ... continue to be in effect.

The Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) is conducting a national study to identify issues of concern to health science professionals trained at community colleges.  One of the goals of the project, which has been funded by Health Canada, is to develop policy recommendations on how best to address recruitment and retention issues for these health science professions.

HSAs 2011 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 9, 2011.

This year, Regional Director elections will take place in Regions 1, 3, 5, 7, & 9.  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 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.