News & Updates

If you are feeling anxious, depressed, or are struggling with another mental health issue, you are not alone. The good news is there are resources available to HSA members who are looking for mental health support. The following is a list of resources that are available to you. Virtual mental health services through your benefits plan If you receive benefits...

By Tristyn Kellner HSA Member When thinking about Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) and Joint Occupational Health and Safety (JOHS) Committee duties, the average person most likely thinks about managing physical injuries and biological hazards. Chemical safety sheets might come to mind. If you are especially creative, you may think about ergonomics and safety inspections, or mental health in the...

By Samantha Ponting HSA Communications In 2006, the First Nations Leadership Council and the Province of Brit ish Columbia entered into a bilateral agreement called the Transformative Change Accord: First Nations Health Plan. The accord outlined 29 action items designed to address some of the health inequities between Indigenous peoples and other British Columbians. Action item 19 mandated the development...

The following message is important information for all HSA members covered by the Community Social Services Collective Agreement. CSSEA and CSSBA have agreed on the distribution of the April 1, 2021 Low Wage Redress (LWR), which will take effect on the first full pay period following April 1, 2021. Wage schedules outlining the new hourly wages are available on the...

On Dec. 6, 1989, 14 women were murdered in an act of misogynist violence at École Polytechnique in Montréal. It was perpetrated by a man claiming to be “fighting feminism,” who first opened fire on women in a mechanical engineering class. Women were targeted because of their gender, and 13 students and one administrator were killed. In 1991, the Parliament...

HSA welcomes today’s release of In Plain Sight , the report by Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond addressing Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination in BC’s health care system. The report includes 24 recommendations for action, all focused on addressing the unacceptable experience of Indigenous people in the province’s health care system, as described in the report: “Indigenous people want to see change. They...

2021 Canadian Labour Congress Winter School (VIRTUAL) UPDATED BULLETIN - see additional scholarship opportunity available One of Canada's best labour schools, for the first time ever virtually in January and February 2021. The CLC Winter School offers a wide variety of four-day, quality labour-oriented courses. To support HSA's ability to represent HSA members effectively and help build a stronger union...

The draft 2019-2022 Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) contract is now available on the HSA website for members to download or use online. Members and stewards should be aware that this draft version may contain errors and omissions that will be corrected over the next few months as the agreement is finalized and printed. Once the printed version is...

The Ministry of Health has released an updated policy concerning the wearing of masks by workers, patients, and visitors in all health care facilities, programs, and services. The policy applies to all facilities and settings where health care services are provided, including outpatient clinics, as well as long term care and seniors assisted living facilities. HSA members began to raise...

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) released a statement this week condemning the endorsement on behalf of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) by President Hassan Yussuf of Bill Morneau's candidacy for the position of Secretary-General of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and develiopment (OECD). The endorsement was made in a joint statement with the Canadian Chamber of...