The World Health Organization has declared a world H1N1 flu pandemic. It is uncertain how serious this pandemic will be in terms of how many people infected will be severely affected. However, because H1N1 is a new virus, many people may have little or no immunity against it, and illness may be more severe and widespread as a result. In addition, there is currently no vaccine to protect against this virus, although recent reports indicate that one should be available by October.

British Columbia's Ambulance Paramedics - members of CUPE Local 873 - are
still fighting for a fair contract.

Please join them tomorrow - Friday,  September 18 - for a march and rally
in Richmond, BC  and show your support for their struggle with the Campbell
government.

Marchers will assemble on the Elmbridge Way sidewalk at the north side of
the Sheraton Airport Inn (formerly the Best Western Richmond) located at
7551 Westminster Highway just West of Minoru Blvd. 

UPCOMING FREE PUBLIC EVENTS: MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

As BC leaders in the fight to end breast cancer, the Health Sciences Association of BC is an active participant in the annual Run for the Cure, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation's most important fundraising event of the year.

As health sciences professionals, HSA members are the key health professionals breast cancer patients count on for the diagnosis and treatment of, and rehabilition from breast cancer.

PHAC should follow the 'precautionary principle' for everyone who comes in direct contact with the pandemic influenza virus and make a 'fit-tested NIOSH approved N95 respirator' available to each employee.

Ottawa (1 Sept. 2009) - The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) says all health care workers exposed to a pandemic flu virus like H1N1 should be given fit-tested NIOSH approved N95 respirators to protect them on the job.

Monday, September 7 - celebrate Labour Day around the Province!

Click here for a list of events in your community.

Join HSA, the BC Federation of Labour and other colleagues for a fun and relaxing family day Monday, September 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the annual Labour Day Picnic at John Hendry Park (Trout Lake) by Nanaimo Skytrain Station.

The day will include family entertainment, fun (games and prizes), and food ($0.50 hotdogs, drinks & corn on the cob).

Bring a picnic, stay for an hour or stay for the day.

Click here to download the poster, and for directions to John Hedrey Park.

The municipal Pension Plan continues to offer pension seminars to plan members.

Plan members have a choice of two seminars.  Your Pension, Your Future is for new and mid-career plan members. In this seminar, they'll explain pension benefits and help members understand how decisions they make today can impact their future pension income. Members will learn how to read their Member's Benefit Statement and find out how they can recover time from a break in service (such as general, maternity and parental leaves) to make the most of their future pension.

The various Health Authorities in the Lower Mainland (VCHA, PHSA, FHA and PHC) today issued a press release dealing with "Lower Mainland Consolidation Opportunities".  The Union was only given the information, at a meeting with various Health Authorities, immediately before the press release was made public. The Union has not yet been provided any specific information in regards any potential impact of "consolidation" on the members of the Union.