News & Updates

The Report: November 2007 vol.28 num.5 by LAURA BUSHEIKIN ike most health science professionals, HSA member Vikki Tellier can talk at length about ways to improve our health care system. And she has impressive credentials for such a conversation: five years as an occupational therapist, in addition to 21 years as a physiotherapist at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, combined with...

The Report: November 2007 vol.28 num.5 Retired lab tech makes national news by fending off bear attack by LAURA BUSHEIKIN uring her 28-year career as a medical technologist, retired HSA member Jane Tillotson was regularly involved in saving lives with her professional skills. But her most celebrated life-saving act came a year after her retirement. This time, it was her...

The Report: November 2007 vol.28 num.5 n the last column, we outlined your privacy rights when an employerasks for proof after missed work due to illness. This time, we take alook at a similar issue: when an employee is entitled to workplaceaccommodation due to disability or health issue, how much medicalinformation must be disclosed ? Im returning to work after...

The Report: November 2007 vol.28 num.5 by REID JOHNSON t the end of October, I wrapped up my first series of annual RegionalMeetings. The Regional Meetings are an opportunity for me, and forboard members, to meet for a full day with stewards from workplaces inall ten HSA regions around the province, and to learn about the issuesthat are most important...

University of BC, School of Environmental Health, in cooperation with the Physiotherapy Association of British Columbia presents Ergonomic Assessment of Upper Limb Risk Factors for Effective Return-To-Work Programs. There are a few spaces left in the November 3 and November 29 workshops. Musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limbs, such as tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome, are a major source of...

One of Canadas best labour schools, held at Harrison Hot Springs, in January and February 2008 The CLC Winter School offers a wide variety of week-long, quality labour orientated courses. Past HSA participants have rated the courses and the experience highly. The school offers an opportunity to meet people from other unions and workplaces across BC. To support HSAs ability...

HSA's Committee for Equality and Social Action urges you to join the BC Federation of Labour campaign to Raise the Minimum WageMinimum wage earners working full-time should earn enough to stay above the poverty line. That can only be achieved by immediately raising the minimum wage to at least $10.00 per hour.The B.C. Federation of Labour, in cooperation with other...

HSA is offering two one-day workshops this Fall: Dates: Friday, November 23, 2007 Thursday, November 29, 2007 Place: HSA Office, 300 - 5118 Joyce Street, Vancouver HSA members who work in a supervisory role will have the opportunity to attend a one-day workshop at the HSA office. Supervisors have particular concerns and needs and sometimes feel -caught in the middle"...

Members in the Lower Mainland interested in geting women involved in municipal politics are welcome to attend the latest in the Talking Politcis series. Thursday, October 11 hear from Sue Hammell, MLA, who will speak about internationl examples. Menna Wong will focus on how to involve all communities. Loretta Woodcock will talk about her experience as a Vancouver Parks Board...

Government documents obtained by the BC Health Coalition expose plans to expand the contracting out of surgeries to for-profit clinics even though the -Conversation on Health" public consultation has not yet concluded. In a July letter sent to all B.C.s private clinics, Deputy Minister Gordon Macatee asks clinic owners for information about their facilities operations in order to help government...