News & Updates

BL9991 CSSEIP is a pro-active, customized return to work programToday the Union Bargaining Association (UBA) and Community Social Services Employers' Association (CSSEA) launched a new joint program to assist workers who are ill or injured return to work.The new program is called CSSEIP - the Community Social Services Early Intervention Program. It involves employers, employees, unions and the Healthcare Benefit...

PARAMEDICAL PROFESSIONAL BARGAINING ASSOCIATION Bargaining Update #10 PDF Version ( Adobe Acrobat required) The Paramedical Professional Bargaining Association (PPBA) and Health Employers' Association of BC (HEABC) have reached a tentative agreement for a collective agreement that expires March 31, 2006. The tentative agreement was reached July 15 under the terms of a framework agreement negotiated June 10. Under the terms...

PARAMEDICAL PROFESSIONAL BARGAINING ASSOCIATION Bargaining Update #9 PDF Version ( Adobe Acrobat required) With four days of discussion now completed, the Paramedical Professional Bargaining Association and Health Employers Association of BC have made very little progress on key issues. In the Framework Agreement signed June 10, 2004 by the two parties, it was agreed that negotiations on a number of...

The Report: July / August 2004 vol.25 num.4 by CAROLE PEARSON luremi Ukpeh's first name means "one who gives comfort in times of distress." No wonder physiotherapy seemed like a good career choice. Oluremi Ukpeh Physiotherapist Steward, Royal Columbian Hospital Ukpeh is a physiotherapist in the critical care unit at New Westminster's Royal Columbian Hospital, and finds it rewarding to...

The Report: July / August 2004 vol.25 num.4 by CAROLE PEARSON rigid Kemp is proof that education is a life-long journey. Her early experience with education, as a child growing up in Edinburgh, Scotland, was the kind that drives people away from a love of learning. Corporal punishment was readily meted out. And she got her share. Brigid Kemp Older...

The Report: July / August 2004 vol.25 num.4 by LEANNE M. WALSH I heard that there is a recent court case about discrimination against employees based on "family status." What are the issues? Why is this court case important? HSA recently won this precedent-setting case argued in the BC Court of Appeal by HSA's legal staff on behalf of an...

The Report: July / August 2004 vol.25 num.4 by CINDY STEWART ith the federal election behind us, the election of a minority Liberal government produces an interesting dynamic - one that presents a wonderful opportunity for HSA members to ensure issues important to you remain front and centre. During the election campaign, all the parties acknowledged that health care is...

The Report: July / August 2004 vol.25 num.4 by CAROL RIVIERE SA activists and occupational health and safety stewards recently attended a one-day workshop at HSA's office, to prepare to go back to their communities to fight against the provincial Liberals' program of ongoing cuts to workers' compensation benefits, and workplace health and safety. The workshop began with a review...

The Report: July / August 2004 vol.25 num.4 by CAROL RIVIERE ecognizing the significant impact that government decisions have on members' working conditions, HSA's 2003 convention passed a resolution adding the function of lobbying to the mandate of HSA's political action committee (PAC). HSA's Board of Directors subsequently approved a PAC recommendation that the Committee carry out this mandate, in...

BL9987HSA has scored a significant victory for Paramedical Professional Bargaining Association members who have been denied on-call pay when they were called back to work.Under the collective agreement, members receive premium pay for the hours they are scheduled on call. The current rate is $3 an hour for the first 72 hours in a month, and $4.25 per hour for...