2012: News Archive

The Report: February 2012 vol.33 num.1 HSA OVERCOMES YEARS OF WORKSAFE BC INDIFFERENCE TO HIGH INJURY RATE BY MARTY LOVICK IN JANUARY, HSA AND WORKSAFE BC began distribution of a publication that aims to reduce the high level of work-related injuries for ultrasonographers. Its a major achievement, and one which came only after years of effort by the Health Sciences...

The Report: February 2012 vol.33 num.1 Collective agreements covering the vast majority of HSA members working in health sciences and community social services expire on March 31, and HSAs negotiators have already begun work on the next agreements. HEALTH SCIENCE PROFESSIONALS Bargaining for the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association was scheduled to begin February 27. HSA priorities for bargaining were...

The Report: February 2012 vol.33 num.1 AS PART OF THE UNION DELIVERING MODERN HEALTH CARE, HSA members are proud of their expertise. This expertise is based on a profound dedication to learning and applying the most recent research and most objective facts of their disciplines. We work in a world based on reality, where respect for the facts is a...

Two weeks ago, we held a special telephone town hall meeting for pharmacists concerned about government plans to cut your salary by up to 14%. Several hundred people took part in this important discussion, and we answered a number of questions from members like you. Unfortunately, we have since learned that our technical supplier for the event made an error...

Bargaining for British Columbias over 13,000 workers employed in community health services and support kicked off this week. Talks commenced between the Community Bargaining Association (CBA) and the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) on January 23 with the exchange of opening remarks and the initial tabling of proposals. The CBA presented a summary of the priorities identified by health...

Community social service workers across British Columbia are returning to the bargaining table. The current collective agreement expires on March 31, 2012.The first dates for bargaining with the employer have now been set for the week of February 27. HSAs bargaining representatives joined discussions at the bargaining associations strategy meeting this week. Delegates to HSAs community social services bargaining proposal...

Ensuring the safety of patients in BCs health care facilities is the priority for nurses, as they began bargaining this week for a new contract with the provinces health authorities. HSAs Registered Psychiatric Nurses are represented by Lions Gate RPN Val Barker and Senior Labour Relations Officer Pat Blomme. HSA President Reid Johnson said psychiatric nurses want to ensure they...

Health Sciences Association (HSA), on behalf of the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association, called on the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) in a meeting today to rescind the notice it gave earlier this month that it plans to roll back hospital pharmacists wages by as much as $12,000 a year.Jeanne Meyers, HSAs executive director of legal services and labour...

HSA is offering the following 2-day OH&S steward training workshops at the HSA office: Basic OH&S Steward Training dates: Registration closes:February 13 & 14, 2012 February 3, 2012March 26 & 27, 2012 March 5, 2012 Occupational health and safety issues are very important to HSA members, and OH&S stewards play a vital role in promoting a safe work environment and...

The United Steelworkers (USW) announced this week the launch of a fundraising campaign and the creation of a trust account to provide support to the workers of Babine Forest Products and their families in the wake of an explosion at the Burns Lake, B.C. sawmill. The tragedy in Burns Lake has affected the whole community, including the many HSA members...