News & Updates

The Community Social Services Bargaining Association is continuing to meet with the employers’ association. The Bargaining Committee is pushing to achieve the non-monetary priorities that members identified as important measures to address the challenges in the community social services sector. By the end of last week, the Committee had tabled all non-monetary topics and interests for consideration. In-depth discussions of...

The HSPBA Bargaining Committee has concluded the initial round of discussions with the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC), which began March 3. To date, the Committee has tabled language in three areas: Housekeeping and non-monetary language, including amendments that will address outdated and colonial language in the collective agreement; Occupational health and safety matters related to workload, discrimination and...

The series of atmospheric rivers that hit southwestern British Columbia in late November caused flooding and mudslides that affected the lives of many HSA members, with those living in Merritt and Princeton among the worst hit. HSA’s Board of Directors created a flood relief fund to assist members with immediate expenses caused by evacuations. We spoke to a few members...

By Lisa Daechsel, HSA member “I don’t want to be strapped to the bed” “I’m scared of loud noises” “I hate needles” “There is no way my child can lay still for that long” These are just some of the things that I hear from children and families regarding MRI imaging. For many children and families, the MRI experience can...

The Health Employers’ Association of BC (HEABC) tabled their initial wage proposal for the Community Health agreement, and we are deeply disappointed. We need a significant investment in front-line workers to address the staffing crisis in community health and we won’t accept anything less. We expect challenging monetary negotiations, but the last weeks of bargaining have shown us that when...

Last week was week five of negotiations between the Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA) and the Community Social Services Employers' Association (CSSEA). Negotiations opened on Tuesday, March 1 st by recognizing that March is Community Social Services Month, a time to honour and reflect on the important work that community social service professionals do for our social safety net...

Bargaining for the new Health Science Professional collective agreement has begun. Earlier today representatives from the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) sat down with the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) Committee, a team including professional negotiators, labour relations specialists and rank and file union members elected by their peers from around the province. The bargaining committee is guided...

In its submission to the federal government's consultation around Budget 2022 released this week, NUPGE (National Union of Generaland Public Employees Union) has pointed to the federal government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic as evidence that government has the capacity to improve public services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government showed that it could act quickly to mobilize the...

Virtual Basic Steward Training Registration Information: Stewards may register by logging into My Events Registration. Workshops are listed under Steward Education events. Virtual Basic Steward Training (three days in series) Stewards play a vital role in the union. Particularly important is the steward's role in contract interpretation, organizing and the grievance procedure. In recognition of the need for educating new...

HSA is pleased to offer another opportunity to attend this two-day workshop! DATES: April 5 & 6, 2022 TIME: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm LOCATION: Virtual – WebEx details to follow This two-day virtual workshop will help non-Indigenous HSA members to develop the skills, compassion, and abilities required to recognize and change colonial systems and practices in their personal and...