Despite wide-spread public outcry and media attention, the Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI) program for children with autism is closing its doors this week due to government funding cuts.

At Queen Alexandra Center for Child Health on Vancouver Island, 40 experienced and highly-trained therapists have lost their jobs. Today is their last day of work.

These cuts were triggered this fall by Children and Family Development Minister Mary Polak, who announced funding for autism services for children under age 6 would be cut by more than $3 million.

CoDevelopment Canada invites HSA members and friends to its World Community Film Festival, January 29-31, 2010 at Langara College.

The ninth annual film festival features documentaries set around the globe about social justice, food security, and environmental issues.

HSAs board of directors voted this week to recommend rejection of the tentative agreement reached last month in the Community Health Services and Support sector between the bargaining associations lead union, BCGEU, and the provincial government.

The board agreed with HSAs negotiating team representing members in the sector that the agreement asks members to give up too many hard-won benefits.

Week of January 18, 2010

Friday, January 22 - Port Moody
What:  Protest at Port Moody ... Coquitlam MLA, Iain Blacks Office
Time:  12:30 ... 1:30
Where:  #203 ... 130 Brew Street, Port Moody
Let the Minister Responsible for Small Business, Technology and Economic Development know that eliminating workers legal rights through legislation is not an effective way to build a better and stronger British Columbia.

Week of January 25, 2010

Five 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.  

In times of great hardship and need, the labour movement shows the meaning of solidarity and mobilizes to bring support to workers, their families and their communities.

The Canadian Labour Congress, in cooperation with the Canadian Red Cross, is working to provide an easy way for union members to make a donation to help the victims of the devastating earthquake and instantly receive a tax receipt.

We invite you to support this urgent fundraising appeal by completing the form below to make your donation.

The BC Health Coalition is pleased to announce "Advocating for Seniors Advocacy in B.C." -- an important community event taking place on January 19, 2010 in Burnaby.

The BC Health Coalition is co-sponsoring this event with the BC Seniors' Advocacy Network and the Hospital Employees' Union.  They wish to develop a more constructive dialogue among advocacy groups that work with individual advocates and pursue systemic advocacy goals.

In past years, the Health Sciences Association has marked the holiday season with cards of thanks and greetings to activists, colleagues, supporters and suppliers. It was our way of thanking you for the work you do with us throughout the year.This year - as we have done in recent years - HSA instead made a financial contribution to Food Banks BC.

Talks initiated by the Community Social Services Employer's Association aimed at reaching an early collective agreement ended late last week without any deal.

Employers offered no improvements to wages, sick leave, transportation allowance (mileage) and shift premiums. They refused to continue the current language on employment security and protection from contracting (continuity of service and employment memorandum ). They offered no significant improvements in collective agreement language, and nothing on job selection (Article 24).

The BC Health Coalition is urging the provincial government to immediately implement recommendations regarding rights for seniors in residential care made by Kim Carter, the provincial Ombudsperson.

-Recent government announcements regarding changes to seniors care have not been encouraging.  In fact, they move seniors care in the opposite direction with regressive user fee increases and no indication of any actual improvements to care," said Alice Edge, Co-Chair of the BC Health Coalition.