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International Day of Persons with Disabilities: inclusion for all

December 3, 2012
On December 3, the world recognizes International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is calling on all levels of government in Canada to make full participation in society for people with disabilities a policy priority. People with disabilities already make a considerable contribution to our society but they could do so much more if the barriers to their participation are removed.

Health science professionals delay job action by one day ... pharmacists to be reduced Thursday, Dec. 6

December 2, 2012
In order to demonstrate support for continued bargaining, the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association has delayed plans for rotating strikes by one day. Instead of reducing pharmacy services to essential service levels Wednesday, the job action will commence Thursday, December 6 at 9 a.m. and continue until midnight Thursday.

A mandate to seek fairness

December 1, 2012
The Report: December 2012 vol.33 num.4 IN OUR LONG HISTORY, HSA MEMBERS HAVE RARELY FELT WE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PREPARE FOR A STRIKE. Our health science professional members have only gone on strike three times before now, and the last time more than 11 years ago. Its not something we take lightly. That is why it is so extraordinary that 90% of our health science professional members just voted in favour of a strike.

Job action: How will it affect you?

December 1, 2012
The Report: December 2012 vol.33 num.4 IN AN IDEAL WORLD, STRIKES WOULD NOT BE NECESSARY. Employees and employers would meet at the bargaining table, discuss bargaining proposals based upon reason, justice and mutual respect. They would use objective data and negotiate a settlement. In reality, that is often what happens. However, sometimes there are significantly different points of view about what is -reasonable," -just" and -objective." When that happens, settlements depend on strength and determination. PROTECTING OUR PATIENTS

Health science members vote to strike

December 1, 2012
The Report: December 2012 vol.33 num.4 HEALTH SCIENCE PROFESSIONALS DELIVERED A RESOUNDING 90 PERCENT STRIKE VOTE TO BACK THEIR BARGAINING COMMITTEE IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH BC'S HEALTH EMPLOYERS.

Rotating strikes support vulnerable families

December 1, 2012
The Report: December 2012 vol.33 num.4 SINCE 2004, THE BC LIBERAL GOVERNMENT HAS SLASHED $300 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED, VULNERABLE WOMEN, AT-RISK YOUTH, AND CHILDREN AND INFANTS IN COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS ACROSS THE PROVINCE. Community social service workers have faced a decade of declining wages. The current starting wage for a residential care worker is $15.54 an hour. In 2002, it was $16.83. Factoring in inflation, thats a 22 percent wage cut.

Nurses tied down by tie-in

December 1, 2012
The Report: December 2012 vol.33 num.4 NURSES NEW CONTRACT MAKES ACCESS TO MEDICATION HARDER PENSIONS Q AND A BY DENNIS BLATCHFORD, HSA PENSION AND BENEFIT ADVOCATE Q. As a new HSA member who falls under the Nurses Bargaining Association (NBA) contract, could you please explain to me what the -PharmaCare tie-in" is all about?

Dean Elbe, Pharmacist

December 1, 2012
The Report: December 2012 vol.33 num.4 BY LAURA BUSHEIKIN IS IT POSSIBLE TO STAND UP FOR YOUR PROFESSION USING 140 CHARACTERS OR LESS? HSA member Dr. Dean Elbe says, -Yes, absolutely." Elbe, a Clinical Pharmacist at BC Childrens Hospitals Child and Adolescent Mental Health Program, used his Twitter account to help HSA galvanize opposition to a proposed 14 per cent rollback in pharmacists salaries earlier this year.

Breaking the impasse

December 1, 2012
The Report: December 2012 vol.33 num.4 AFTER NINE MONTHS OF HARD BARGAINING, WE HAVE REACHED AN IMPASSE. LET ME TELL YOU HOW WE GOT HERE. You have given the bargaining committee a clear mandate: restore competitive wages, protect benefits and protect working conditions, including dealing with workload and call issues. We have spent nine months trying to kick start negotiations and make inroads on these issues. But HEABC insists there will be no deal without concessions. We say: absolutely not.

VIHA officials asked to address specialist shortage

November 30, 2012
Harbour City Star By Darrell Bellaart Health officials have been told to address a shortage of specialists who help critically ill patients with breathing difficulties at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. WorkSafe B.C. ruled the Vancouver Island Health Authority must provide a plan to stop scheduling respiratory therapists to work shifts as long as 24 hours. A Work-Safe inspector toured NRGH on Nov. 9 and issued an inspection report Nov. 16.

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