Helping breast cancer patients cope

The Report: September / October 2001 vol.22 num.4 by DAN KEETON Liz Dohan Social Worker / Practice Leader Vancouver Cancer Centre

Imposed contract means health care chaos for years, HSA president says

HSA President Cindy Stewart said the legislation passed this afternoon imposing a contract on health science professionals will throw the health care system in British Columbia into chaos. "The government had a number of options, and it was our understanding as late as Tuesday morning that the Minister of Labour was prepared to continue negotiations," Stewart said. "But Premier Gordon Campbell obviously had a different idea."

Remarks by Cindy Stewart

Thank you for coming tonight. I want to start my comments by saying the actions of HSA members right across British Columbia these past two days have not been about defying legislation. They have been about achieving a collective agreement. HSA members have shown they are resolved to get a contract that values their contribution to our health care system. They have been demonstrating for the past two days that the offer put to them in this round of bargaining is offensive in the extreme. It values some health care workers more than others.

Mediated talks fail - Remarks by Cindy Stewart

Thank you for coming this morning. First of all, I want to update you on the events that have taken place since June 20 when the Liberal government ordered health science professionals back to work after only five days of job action over four weeks. I said at that time it was a difficult day for the union and for our members. I didn't believe the legislated period would work. But I and the union's board of directors were prepared to do everything possible to make it work.