News & Updates
National Indigenous People’s Day June 21
June 21, 2020
On National Indigenous Peoples Day, we’re asking you to share how you’re working to decolonize your workplace and ensure it is safe and welcoming to Indigenous peoples. Let us know in an email to: info@hsabc.org
We remember that our union works and has members in unceded territories across the province. Our full territorial acknowledgement is here: https://bit.ly/2YePFFU
HSA reaction to Minister of Health Adrian Dix's report of racist actions by health care workers
June 19, 2020
Val Avery, President of the Health Sciences Association of BC, strongly condemns the racist actions of health care workers reported by Health Minister Adrian Dix this morning.
“I am appalled by the emerging allegations of racist behaviors by health care workers – the very people British Columbians turn to and trust in times of health crisis,” Avery said.
"There is no place for racism in health care - or anywhere.”
HSA board of directors waives dues policy; union dues will not be paid on Temporary Pandemic Pay income
June 18, 2020
HSA’s Board of Directors has voted unanimously to waive the union’s policy on collecting union dues on all employment income to exclude employment income earned under the Temporary Pandemic Pay announced May 19.
Agreement reached on vacation scheduling due to COVID-19 (CSS collective agreement)
June 15, 2020
Employers and unions have reached an agreement on how to address vacation scheduling for the remainder of 2020 by members covered by the Community Social Services collective agreement in light of the impact of COVID-19 on operations. The agreement applies to members in the Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA), which includes HSA members.
WCB should cover workers who contract COVID-19 at work, British Columbians say in survey
June 15, 2020
(Coast Salish Territory, Vancouver BC) British Columbians support stronger workplace health and safety protection and Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) coverage for workers who contract COVID-19 by a wide margin, according to a survey conducted by polling firm Stratcom for the BC Federation of Labour.
Bold thinking, investment in health care workers needed as BC looks ahead
June 9, 2020
HSA President Val Avery presented today to the provincial Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services, focusing on the need to address the shortage of critical health science professionals. The committee is holding virtual hearings to gather input on the development of the next BC Budget.
CLC webinar June 10: What are unions doing about anti-Black racism?
June 8, 2020
The Canadian Labour Congress is hosting a free webinar this Wednesday, June 10 at 11am PST on the role of unions in combating anti-Black racism. The CLC's Larry Rousseau and Marie Clark-Walker will be joined by Sandy Hudson, a leader in the Black Lives Matter movement in Toronto. This is an opportunity for union members across the country to come together and discuss how we can be a united force for change. Register online at the link below, and please promote to fellow HSA members.
Statement from Canada's unions on anti-Black racism
June 3, 2020
Amid the horrific scenes coming out of the United States of continued police brutality against protesters in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd, Canada’s unions are expressing solidarity with Black communities everywhere, including in our own backyard.
NUPGE poll finds almost universal support for bringing long-term care under the Canada Health Act
May 26, 2020
PPE failure: warning to MRI technologists issued by health authorities
May 22, 2020
A serious occupational health and safety issue related to PPE in hospital magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) departments has been uncovered regarding the safety of certain masks and respirators in an MRI setting.
HSA has called on health authorities and the Provincial Occupational Health and Safety Committee to provide details on the steps underway to identify and remove any masks or respirators that may not be compatible in MRI departments, and to ensure they are not reintroduced into MRI departments.