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UPDATED: Unions lead the fight for womens equality

March 4, 2011
March 8 marks the 100th Anniversary of International Womens Day. Just a generation ago, when our mothers entered the workforce, job postings still listed higher wages for men ... -mens rates" ... alongside lower -womens rates," for people working side by side, doing exactly the same job. While women have fought for and achieved many significant gains, the wage gap between women and men today remains staggering: almost 30 per cent. Women working full-time still only make 70 cents for every dollar men are paid.

Health science professionals vote to accept proposed collective agreement

March 2, 2011
Members of the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association have voted to accept the terms of collective agreement terms reached in late December. -There is no question that the frustration felt by the bargaining committee, which was forced to deal with a government-imposed ‘net-zero mandate, was also felt by health science professionals who voted on the tentative agreement," said HSA President Reid Johnson. The agreement passed with 57 per cent voting in favour.

100th anniversary of International Women's Day

March 1, 2011
To mark the 100th anniversary of womens day, HSA is making available celebratory stickers (click here to view sample). As the Canadian Labour Congress recently noted: Without question, Canadian women have made pension gains in recent decades. This is particularly true for women workers in the public sector, and women retirees with access to public pensions.

NUPGE: Lessons from Wisconsin

February 28, 2011
Question ... what do the players of Super Bowl champs the Green Bay Packers have in common with Wisconsins teachers, social workers, nurses and state employees? Answer ... all are rising up in protest to the union-busting antics of Governor Scott Walker (for more see here).

Results of vote on proposed agreement to be released March 2

February 24, 2011
Final returns from all the constituent unions in the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association will be received March 1. The result of the vote will be released March 2, 2011.

Additional Basic Steward Training workshop scheduled

February 23, 2011
Due to increased demand for basic steward training, HSA is offering the following workshop: Basic Steward Training (3-day workshop):May 9, 10, 11, 2011 Please apply ASAP as workshops have been filling up quickly. Pre-registration forms are available from the HSA website.

REMINDER: Nominations open for David Bland Memorial Award

February 16, 2011
Six years ago, in 2005, David Bland, a vocational rehabilitation counsellor and HSA member from Richmond Mental Health, was murdered at his workplace by a former client.  His tragic death served as a sombre reminder that more needs to be done to prevent incidents of violence in the workplace and to protect health care ands social services workers on the job. 

Community social services bargaining: special meeting for SHARE members

February 15, 2011
TO:  HSA Members at SHARE Family & Community ServicesFROM:  Sharon Geoghegan, HSADATE:  February 15, 2011 As you are aware, negotiations with community social service employers broke off in December.

Additional member meetings in Campbell River and Courtenay

February 14, 2011
As you are aware, negotiations with community social service employers broke off in December. At this time of uncertainty, job cuts, and layoffs, employment security demands are the best opportunity we have to protect jobs and vital public community services. Yet the Community Social Services Employers Association (CSSEA) is asking for concessions at the bargaining table and refuse to discuss employment security or improvements to your working conditions. There is no money for wages or benefits improvements.

Community social services: members meet to discuss next steps to secure a fair deal

February 11, 2011
In recent weeks, HSA members working in community social services have been attending membership meetings across the province to discuss next steps in their efforts to secure a fair collective agreement. The meetings were scheduled by the multi-union Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA) in response to the current impasse at the bargaining table, where employers have refused to consider solutions to a range of problems affecting workers and the critical services they provide.

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