News & Updates

HSA members encouraged to participate in H1N1 vaccination program
October 29, 2009
Following the protocol issued by BCs Medical Health Officer, beginning next week health care workers will be offered vaccination against the H1N1 virus. This includes all HSA members who work with vulnerable populations.
HSA encourages members to participate in the H1N1 vaccination program.
When you receive your H1N1 vaccination, you will also be offered vaccination against seasonal flu.
CLC responds to Flaherty pensions announcement
October 28, 2009
OTTAWA ... An announcement by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty on regulations dealing with federally-regulated pensions is welcome but will have little if any immediate impact upon the pension security that Canadians are looking for, says Ken Georgetti, President of the Canadian Labour Congress.
-These changes result from consultations the government has held over the past year and some of them look good, but they dont deal with the pension crisis facing most Canadians," says Georgetti.
Provincial day of protest against cuts to children's services
October 27, 2009
Moms on the Move is holding a provincial day of protest tomorrow, October 28, to remind BC Premier Gordon Campbell of his promise to build the best system of supports forchildren with special needs in Canada.
In the past several weeks, cuts to funding have been announced in a number of programs, including:
Meeting to set contract objectives; This is your chance to have a say
October 27, 2009
With the Heath Services and Support Community contract set to expire March 31, 2010, planning is underway to prepare bargaining priorities to present at the bargaining table.
HSA stewards will be setting chapter meetings to be held by November 11, 2009 to discuss and develop bargaining proposals. All HSA members covered by the Health Services and Support Community collective agreement are urged to attend these chapter meetings. You negotiating team needs your input.
Join HandyDart workers at Sunday rally for fair bargaining
October 23, 2009
Members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724 are on the verge of a strike. Support the HandyDart workers at a rally at MetroTown Sunday Oct. 24 to support fair collective bargaining in the public sector.
Rally information here.
H1N1 and Seasonal Flu vaccine
October 23, 2009
The provincial government has just announced that seasonal flu vaccine will be administered at the same time as the vaccine for H1N1. Prior to this, the government planned to offer the seasonal vaccine only after the H1N1 vaccination program was complete. H1N1 vaccination for high-risk groups will begin next week.
Canada needs tax fairness not the HST
October 22, 2009
By James ClancyNational Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE)
Ottawa - We're long overdue for serious tax reform in this country. Most Canadians agree on this. But the new unfair Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) in Ontario and BC is not what most of us had in mind.
Earlier this year the Harper government reached agreements with Ontario and BC to merge the provincial sales tax (PST) and federal goods and services tax (GST) into a single harmonized tax (HST). The new HST is an unfair tax for two key reasons.
Retraining Fund available for HSA members in Health Services and Support (Community Subsector) Agreement
October 22, 2009
(This information applies to HSA members of the Health Services and Support / Community Subsector.)
In September, HSA mailed to every member in the Health Services and Support (Community Subsector) information about the Community Retraining Fund available to unionized workers in the Health Services and Support Community subsector. The package includes:
a) an overview,b) answers to frequently asked questions, andc) application forms.
Compass food workers locked out: Please don't use Fraser Health Authority food services
October 22, 2009
Please be advised that Compass has now locked out union members working at retail food service locations in the Fraser Health Authority.
While picket locations do not impede other union members from going to work, the B.C. Federation of Labour and the United Steelworkers Local 2009 are asking union members to not use any of these food services while management tries to operate these sites.
OHSAH Workshop Schedule Fall 2009
October 21, 2009
Learning Opportunities Near You!