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Mandatory flu shots for health workers delayed; Government temporarily backs away from its original plan

December 5, 2012
Alberni Valley Times The B.C. government has temporarily backed away from a controversial plan to force thousands of provincial health workers to get a flu shot before they can work with patients. Instead of forcing workers to wear a mask or have the mandatory flu vaccination, the B.C. Health Ministry said it will work towards voluntary compliance from workers in the first year of the program.

Workers cheer softened stand on flu shots

December 4, 2012
Globe and Mail By Rod Mickleburgh VANCOUVER -- The province's health-care workers are hailing a last- minute reprieve in a landmark policy by public health officials that would have forced them to receive a flu shot or wear a surgical mask during their shifts. Staff who refused to comply with the policy - the first of its kind in Canada - would have been liable to discipline, up to and including termination.

BC Flu Prevention

December 4, 2012
Canadian Press BC07 - (BC-Flu-Prevention) VANCOUVER. The head of the Health Sciences Association says his union is pleased the government has backed away from forcing its members to get a flu shot. Reid Johnson says members are encouraged to have flu vaccinations, but they don't want to be forced into something that involves their privacy. TAG: Instead of forcing workers to get flu shots, the Health Ministry plans to work on voluntary compliance from employees in the first year of the program. ---

B.C. government suspends mandatory flu shots for health workers for one year; B.C. backs off health workers flu shot plan

December 4, 2012
Canadian Press VANCOUVER - The B.C. government has temporarily backed away from its mandatory flu vaccination policy for thousands of provincial health care workers. Instead of forcing workers to get flu shots, the Health Ministry says it will work towards getting compliance from workers in the first year of the program. In a letter to B.C.'s health authority chief executive officers, deputy health minister Graham Whitmarsh says components of the influenza control policy would not be enforced for the first year.

Rotating strikes begin with hospital pharmacies

December 4, 2012
The Daily News (Kamloops) Pressing for a wage hike, members of the Health Sciences Association of British Columbia are set to begin rotating strikes at hospitals across the province. The strikes begin Thursday when pharmacy services at hospitals, including Royal Inland Hospital, will be reduced to essential service levels from 9 a.m. to midnight. There will be no picket lines. RIH was still assessing on Tuesday how the hospital would respond to the job action, a health authority spokeswoman said.

Community social services: job action continues this week

December 4, 2012
Aboriginal Service workers and social workers from Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society (VACFSS) are on strike on Tuesday, December 4. Striking workers want to send a clear message to the BC government: stop putting vulnerable Aboriginal families last!

December 6: Take Action to End Violence Against Aboriginal Women and Girls

December 4, 2012
On December 6, Canadians will once again pause to remember the importance of taking action against violence against women and girls. The date was declared by Canadas Parliament in 1991, in commemoration of the December 6, 1989 Montreal Massacre.

BC Health Strike

December 3, 2012
Canadian Press Members of the BC Health Sciences Association say they will begin strike action this week after months of inaction at the bargaining table. Hospital pharmacists will reduce their work to essential services this Wednesday and, on Friday, medical imaging techs will do the same. Association president Reid Johnson says members are frustrated after eight months of negotiations with no progress.

BC Health Strike

December 3, 2012
Canadian Press Negotiations resume today for members of the B-C Health Sciences Association who are planning job action at health care facilities later this week to press their contract demands. The action begins Thursday -- a day later than first planned -- when pharmacists go to essential service levels, followed by medical imaging techs on Friday.

Rotating strikes planned for Thursday, Friday as health science professionals pressure for a new union contract

December 3, 2012
As health science professionals return to the bargaining table today, plans to begin rotating strikes have been delayed one day to demonstrate good faith in the bargaining process. Talks between the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association and Health Employers Association of BC are scheduled to continue through the week. With the change, the rotating strikes will begin Thursday, December 6. That day, pharmacy services at BC hospitals will be reduced to essential service levels only from 9 a.m. to midnight. There will be no picket lines.

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