News & Updates

BC Health Coalition NOVEMBER 5, 2008 - FREE PUBLIC EVENT: Who's Minding the Store? The privatization of long-term care and what it means for care quality Wednesday Nov. 5th - 7-9 pm Unitarian Church - 949 W. 49th Avenue, Vancouver With speakers: Charlene Harrington , professor and researcher Dr. Margaret McGregor , family physician and health services researcher Lyne England...

On October 14, 2008 Canadians will head to the polls to elect a new federal government. The Members of Parliament we elect can have a huge impact on the health care and community social services that HSA members provide. HSA urges members to examine the positions of the parties on these issues, and to vote for candidates who will support...

Elections will be held during the next 2 months to select members to fill the following HSA positions for the coming year: 1. Chief Steward 2. Assistant Chief Steward 3. General Stewards 4. Occupational Health & Safety Stewards and 5. Labour Council Delegates (for chapters that are affiliated to their local labour council) Stewards play an essential role within HSA...

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) will observe Nov. 6 as the first annual Community Social Service Workers Appreciation Day in Canada. The union is urging everyone to mark the occasion by taking time to appreciate the contribution these workers make to strengthen communities across the country. The idea for the day, which will be celebrated annually...

The Province By Ian Austin A year-long study of the effect of private clinics on the Canadian public health-care system has concluded that wait times are longest in areas where private clinics take personnel from the public system. "We found evidence of wait times that are highest in areas with the most privatization, as resources -- financial and human --...

BC Health Coalition calls on British Columbians to reject BCAA queue jumping insurance and demand government action to enforce health care legislation. The BC Health Coalition is deeply disturbed by BCAAs recent announcement to begin offering insurance that will allow its members to jump the health care queue and obtain services at for-profit clinics. The actions of BCAA clearly contravene...

HSA members who are running for office or working on campaigns in the provincial by-elections in Vancouver-Burrard and Vancouver-Fairview can apply to HSA for the following financial support from HSAs Political Action Fund: 1. Members who are candidates can apply for up to 20 days of wage replacement and/or up to $200 to cover approved personal expenses incurred to run...

The Report: October / November 2008 vol.29 num.4 What are the general guidelines you recommend for scheduling vacations? What happens if my vacation gets cancelled because of staff shortages? As vacation scheduling can be a very sensitive issue, both members and union stewards should be proactive and be aware of deadlines for vacation requests and approvals. Ask for notification of...

The Report: October / November 2008 vol.29 num.4 by LAURA BUSHEIKIN n Uganda, there are no biomedical engineers. When medical equipment breaks, it is often just shoved into a storage room. Sometimes, even new, perfectly functioning medical equipment, donated by a well-meaning NGO or foreign government wanting to help this country recover from years of brutal dictatorship and repression, just...