News & Updates

EB03-03 Spaces are still available for the Basic OH&S Steward workshop. The two-day workshop will be held at the HSA office, located at 300 - 5118 Joyce Street, Vancouver. dates: workshop 1: January 20 & 21, 2003 workshop 2: February 17 & 18, 2003 time: Monday, 9:00* am - 4:30 pm Tuesday, 9:00* am - 4:00 pm location: HSA Office...

The Report: January / February 2003 vol.24 num.1 by YUKIE KURAHASHI ammy Lohnes wishes for the day she’ll no longer be needed to do her work. Lohnes oversees the crisis line at SHARE Family and Community Services in Coquitlam. When someone in the North Fraser area feels so stressed they don’t know where else to turn, they often end up...

The Report: January / February 2003 vol.24 num.1 by PAUL DAYSON he day after World AIDS Day, Rick Barnes is reflective. It’s personal this year. Steven, his partner of six years, died from AIDS in June. Rick Barnes Communications Coordinator AIDS Vancouver “World AIDS Day had new meaning, and standing in line with a candle was a bit overwhelming,” said...

The Report: January / February 2003 vol.24 num.1 by BRUCE WILKINS Our employer is planning to unilaterally change our work schedules to 7.2-hour days. What do we do? Your employer must follow a process laid out in a memorandum of agreement. Appendix 7 of the current paramedical professional collective agreement arose as a result of numerous disputes with employers following...

The Report: January / February 2003 vol.24 num.1 by BRIAN ISBERG here is an old joke that starts, ‘I have some good news and I have some bad news. Well, I have some good news and I have some bad news, but unfortunately this is not a joke. The bad news is that the BC Liberal government's -New Era" in...

The Report: January / February 2003 vol.24 num.1 by RON OHMART ssues related to shortages of health science professionals come up time and time again in my dealings with employers and members. However, the government, the Health Employers Association of BC, and some health authorities continue to do everything possible to make working in a BC health care facility an...

The Report: January / February 2003 vol.24 num.1 by CAROLE PEARSON imberley is on the cutting edge of a changing health care system," according to Mayor Jim Ogilvie. But others say the city is facing a double-edged sword with a project that could make the community pay more for fewer medical services. The Interior Health Authority (IHA) gave Kimberley less...

The Report: January / February 2003 vol.24 num.1 by CAROL RIVIERE and YUKIE KURAHASHI residential / outreach support worker is working alone with a group of young offenders one night when he is surrounded and severely beaten by three residents. He returns to work a week later having recovered from the physical effects of the assault, but finds in the...

The Report: January / February 2003 vol.24 num.1 by CAROL RIVIERE and YUKIE KURAHASHI counsellor begins working at a transition house for battered women. She spends her days listening to stories of spousal abuse and violence. Within months she begins to experience violent, disturbing dreams. She becomes hypervigilant, and over-concerned with her own safety ... and begins to experience severe...

EB02-28HSA is offering two basic OH&S steward workshops on January 20 & 21 and February 17 & 18, 2003. Occupational health and safety issues are very important to HSA members. OH&S stewards have a vital role in promoting a safe work environment and helping to prevent injuries. These workshops will be participatory and discussion oriented. We urge you to bring...