News & Updates
Recording Available: Telephone Town Hall with Candidates for HSA President
May 26, 2021
Five union members are running to replace outgoing president Val Avery at HSA’s annual convention on June 2 - 4, and they answered questions from members around the province during a telephone town hall on the evening of March 25, 2021.
Meet Candidates for HSA President on Telephone Town Hall: Members invited to hear candidates, ask questions, on Tuesday May 25 at 7:00 pm
May 21, 2021
Five union members are running to replace outgoing president Val Avery at HSA’s annual convention on June 2 - 4, and they’ll be taking questions from members around the province at a telephone town hall set for Tuesday, May 25 from 7:00 to 8:30.
Child Care and Federal Budget 2021
May 19, 2021
On April 19, Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland, tabled the first budget in 2 years. The headline announcement of Budget 2021 was the investment in a national child care system. This was a significant win for the labour movement and other child care advocates, but the fight continues at the provincial level.
Call for members to serve on union Trial Committee – May 28 deadline
May 13, 2021
As part of the union’s complaints and dispute resolution process provided under HSA’s constitution, each year the union establishes a Trial Committee, with election of the members of the committee held at the union’s annual convention, scheduled June 2-4, 2021. Any member may forward their name as a candidate for election to the Trial Committee. Members do not have to be a delegate to convention to run for election, however, only delegates elected to the convention may vote on the membership of the Trial Committee.
Leadership Training Opportunities
May 13, 2021
Below is information on two on-line leadership training opportunities HSA members may be interested in.
Please note, both events meet the criteria for the union’s Political Action Fund. Members can apply to the fund to help access these events.
Our Future Your Path
BC Federation of Labour: Healthcare voices call for permanent paid sick leave program in BC
May 6, 2021
Prominent voices in BC’s health sector are calling on the BC government to deliver a permanent paid sick leave program with coverage of at least ten days of worker wages. The appeal to government comes as new data from the Workers’ Compensation Board shows rising numbers of workplace exposures, and as BC’s health care system strains under high rates of hospitalizations due to COVID-19.
Applications now open for 2021-2022 professional development funding for HSA members covered by HSPBA contract
May 5, 2021
Applications are now being accepted for funding to support HSA members who work under the Health Science Professionals Collective Agreement (HSPBA) and who are pursuing professional development. The continued funding was negotiated in the 2019-2022 collective agreement, with a $400,000 contribution to the fund each year. “I encourage members to apply to this fund to support their professional development, as I know that HSA members are committed to keeping their skills and knowledge current in an ever-advancing modern health care team,” said HSA President Val Avery.
REMINDER – HSA nurses eligible for college fee reimbursement: Details on how to apply to HSA by June 30, 2021
May 5, 2021
As part of the Nurses Bargaining Association 2019-2022 collective agreement, HSA’s Registered Psychiatric Nurses and Registered Nurses are eligible for partial reimbursement of fees paid to the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
HSA's next BIPOC Caucus - Thursday, April 29
April 27, 2021
The next meeting of the BIPOC Caucus will be held on Thursday, April 29, 2021 from 6 to 8pm. This invitation is open to all members identifying as Black, Indigenous, or People of Colour (BIPOC).
With HSA's Annual Convention coming in June, we will use our BIPOC meeting to:
1. Review resolutions related to BIPOC issues
2. Define goals and objectives on what BIPOC needs
3. Create plans of action to accomplish the above goals
Giddha re-elected to represent Region 7 members on HSA Board of Directors
April 26, 2021
Jas Giddha has been re-elected to serve a two-year term as a member of HSA’s Board of Directors, representing HSA members in Region 7 from several worksites, including Surrey Memorial, Peace Arch, Abbotsford, and Chilliwack Hospitals, and the Fraser Valley Centre for Child Development.