Menu

News & Updates

Subscribe to News & Updates

Flu policy agreement reached Nov. 30 still stands, despite some employers directives

December 7, 2012
In spite of an agreement reached between HSA and other health care unions and the Ministry of Health last week, some members continue to get pressure to either produce evidence of vaccination against seasonal influenza, or wear a mask during the flu season, which was declared open December 1. For members information, at the meeting held between the Ministry of Health, HSA, BCGEU and HEU November 30, the following agreement was reached: While the policy remains on the books the mandatory provisions of it will not be enforced. This means:

BC Health Strike

December 7, 2012
Canadian Press The second stage of strike action by members of the Health Sciences Association hits BC hospitals today. Workers who deliver diagnostic imaging services like x-rays, CT scans and ultrasounds will scale back to essential services as part of an effort to pressure the government to come up with a better contract offer.

Community workers from not-for-profit agencies striking Monday

December 7, 2012
Comox Valley Record  North Island community workers will strike in Campbell River and Courtenay on Monday. Professionals from not-for-profit agencies that support vulnerable families on the North Island will be on strike Dec. 10. Community workers want to send a clear message to the B.C. government: Stop putting vulnerable families last!

Province backs down on flu shot edict

December 6, 2012
Trail Daily Times By Jeff Nagel Source: Surrey North Delta Leader The province has granted a one-year reprieve from its directive that health workers wear a mask this flu season if they refuse to be vaccinated. Those who don't comply won't be disciplined, deputy health minister Graham Whitmarsh said in a Nov. 30 letter to health authorities.

Health-sciences union workers at Cowichan hospital slow work to weekend levels

December 6, 2012
Cowichan News Leader Pictorial Byline: Peter Rusland  Cowichanians whose long-awaited CT-scan dates are bumped by this week's hospital labour strife will be re-booked quickly, health brass promised Thursday. "Those dates will be rescheduled as soon as possible; they wont go back to the bottom of the list," said Suzanne Germain of the Vancouver Island Health Authority.

Health services workers strike

December 6, 2012
Nanaimo News Bulletin Byline: Niomi Pearson  A two-day strike by health care workers at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital and across the province will mean a delay in services for some residents. After nine months of contract negotiations and serving strike notice to B.C. employers, the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) announced that job action will commence today and tomorrow (Dec. 6-7).

Surgery, lab tests to be delayed by strike

December 6, 2012
Castlegar News Hospital pharmacists and medical imaging technicians plan to go ahead with brief strikes Thursday and Friday as a mediator attempts to reach a settlement with 16,000 health science employees at hospitals and clinics across B.C. Mediator Vince Ready was brought in Tuesday after negotiations that started in February failed to produce an agreement. The Health Employers Association of B.C. issued a statement Wednesday warning that the unions intend to go ahead with its first rotating strikes despite the mediation effort.

Comox hospital cancels scans due to job action by technicians

December 6, 2012
Comox Valley Record St. Joseph's General Hospital has cancelled about 70 diagnostic imaging scans on Dec. 7 due to medical imaging technicians' job action.

Health science professionals plan continuation of rotating strikes

December 6, 2012
Health science professionals began rotating strikes today to put pressure on government to get serious about bargaining a new collective agreement with the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA).

Community Health Services and Support: New bargaining dates scheduled

December 6, 2012
Community Health bargaining is scheduled to resume January 7, 2013.   When bargaining resumes in the new year, the bargaining committee is looking for the employer to bring a solid offer to the table that meets the needs of the Community Bargaining Association The CBA represents more than 14,000 members, the majority of whom are represented by the BCGEU. Other unions at the table are HSA, UFCW, HEU, CUPE, USWA, and CLAC.