In the recently negotiated collective agreement covering health science professionals working in hospitals and communities around the province, a $450,000 professional development fund was established for use by members over the term of the collective agreement.

Following ratification of the agreement, a joint committee of the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) and Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) was established to develop priorities and terms of reference for the fund.

As of April 1, 2011, new language came into effect in the HSPBA and NBA collective agreements with respect to an Enhanced Disability Management Program (EDMP) designed to facilitate an employee-centred, pro-active, appropriate and customized disability management program for employees with occupational and non-occupational illness/injury.

As a workplace based program, successful implementation of the EDMP requires designated union representatives who will play an active role in ensuring members realize the greatest benefit from this groundbreaking program.

-Putting Women in Their Place ... in our Unions, in Politics and in our Communities"

July 13 ... 17, 2011 - University of Victoria

Seven years ago, BC's Deputy Premier and Minister for Children & Families, Christy Clark, introduced legislation to establish Community Living BC, promising that the new authority would change the lives of people with developmental disabilities and their families for the better.

Val Avery -- a physiotherapist at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria -- has been re-elected by the HSA board of directors to serve as the unions vice-president. Avery is the unions regional director for Region 2.

The vice-president assumes the duties of the president at the presidents request or in the presidents absence and chairs the unions resolutions committee. This is her second term as vice-president.

On May 2nd, HSA members will help elect a new federal government. Members are encouraged to vote for candidates who support public services, and the people who deliver them.

Election Day: Monday May 2
Voting times: 7:00 am ... 7:00 pm (Pacific Time)
7:30 am ... 7:30 pm (Mountain Time)

Advance Voting
You may also vote on one of the following Advance Voting Days:

The Vancouver & District Labour Council presents:

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Building a Fair Tax System

• Date:      Friday, May 27 7-9 p.m.
                Saturday, May 28 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Location: Auditorium, Maritime Labour Centre
               1880 Triumph Street, Vancouver 
• Cost:       $75 for union sponsored delegates
                $50 for individuals
                $35 for low wage/student

To register, contact Rachel at the Vancouver and District Labour Council. 604-254-0703  

HSA is calling for nominations for the position of Regional Director for Region 8, following the resignation of Joan Magee. Magee has served on the unions board of directors since 2004.

The new Regional Director will serve the remainder of the two-year term, which ends at the conclusion of HSAs 2012 annual convention.

On April 28 ... the National Day of Mourning for workers killed and injured on the job ...  HSA President Reid Johnson and the unions Board of Directors joins BC workers mourning for the dead and fighting for the living.

All workers and their families are invited to pay tribute to workers who have been injured or killed on the job, or stricken with occupational disease.

April 28, 2011
8:00 am - 9:00 am
Hastings Park
Vancouver, BC

Are you a community social service worker and haven't had a chance to cast your strike vote ballot? Please attend information sessions and vote at any location below: