Media Release

Burnaby—Free Adult Basic Education is a must to address BCs literacy challenge B.C. Federation of Labour President, Jim Sinclair said today in a presentation to the BC Legislatures Select Standing Committee on Education. Sinclair noted that among working-age Canadians, 3 million (14.6 percent) struggle with very serious literacy challenges, having difficulty with even the most basic written materials. The unemployment...

Union Bargaining Association members have voted in favour of ratifying a new collective agreement that covers 15,000 community social services workers. The four-year deal includes general wage increases of 8.3 percent, additional wage parity increases, and inclusion in a public sector pension plan at the end of the agreement. Most workers will receive an additional 1.6 percent annually after the...

The Health Sciences Association of BC (HSA) will kick off its 35th annual convention Friday, April 7 at the Hilton Metrotown Hotel in Burnaby. HSA represents health science professionals who provide diagnostic, rehabilitation and clinical services in the health care system. HSA also represents workers in the community social services and community health care. More than 200 delegates will participate...

Health science professionals have voted 90 per cent to accept a four-year agreement. -Health science professionals play an essential role in the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of patients," said Health Sciences Association of BC President Cindy Stewart. -This agreement recognizes the skills, training, and expertise that they bring to the job and is an important first step in ensuring that...

A tentative agreement has been reached between the Paramedical Professional Bargaining Association and the Health Employers Association of BC following intense negotiations over the weekend. Highlights of the four-year agreement include: Wage increases ranging from 6.9 to 13.1 per cent (compounded) with an average increase of 10.3 per cent over four years; A new, cost-shared Long Term Disability Plan which...

Health Science Professionals play an essential role in the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of health care patients and they deserve a contract that recognizes their value. That's the message from members of the Health Sciences Association of BC following HSA's three-day bargaining conference in Vancouver. HSA represents 12,000 health science professionals across the province.

BC HEALTH COALITIONThe BC Health Coalition has commitments from 113 municipal candidates who have each signed a pledge to protect public health care (list available for download below). As public health care defenders, the candidates have agreed to: Speak out vigorously against the privatization of health care Fight to keep and improve local public health services Advocate for open, accountable...

A coalition of BC unions says the Workers' Compensation Board can protect workers from deadly injuries and save the health care system millions by requiring the use of safety needles and other sharps.

Sinclair says coordinated job action is being taken to reach a settlement BC Federation of Labour news release Vancouver — Officers of unions affiliated to the B.C. Federation of Labour today announced that workers will begin protesting Bill 12 on Monday in Greater Victoria if the government refuses to negotiate a settlement with the BC Teachers Federation.-Theres a window of...

Front-line providers not allowed to tellThe gag order on front-line health care workers at St. Pauls Hospital is not an isolated case, says Health Sciences Association President Cindy Stewart.-Health care providers are afraid to speak out about the deteriorating conditions in the health care system. Conditions for patients are getting worse, and the health care professionals are under a gag...