News & Updates
N95 mask supply running low: new guidelines on PPE for health care workers
April 23, 2020
With supply of N95 masks running low, Ministry of Health directs shift to alternative PPE guidelines
Government announces additional mental health supports for COVID-19 on the way
April 9, 2020
To ensure British Columbians have increased access to vital mental health supports during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Province has announced $5 million to expand existing mental health programs and services and launch new services to support British Columbians.
“If you are feeling anxious, stressed, depressed or disconnected because of COVID-19, I want you to know that you are not alone,” said Premier John Horgan. “Our government is working to give you more options for mental health support as we all stay home to prevent the spread of this virus.”
April 8 update to HSA members in the Community Bargaining Association collective agreement
April 8, 2020
To: All HSA members in the Community Bargaining Association (CBA) collective agreementFrom: HSA President Val AveryDate: April 8, 2020
Message from Val Avery, President: Update on HSA's work on premium pay, and safety of members working in COVID-19
April 5, 2020
I know that all of you are working tirelessly at jobs that have changed dramatically over the course of just a few weeks.
As front line health care workers, you have the additional stresses of worrying about your personal health and safety, being separated from family, and not knowing where you may be redeployed to work.
United Way of Greater Victoria teams up with Accent Inns to provide "Hotels for Frontline Workers"
April 2, 2020
Are you an essential health care worker in Greater Victoria?
The United Way of Greater Victoria has teamed up with Accent Inns to provide free rooms for health care workers who need a place to stay.
See the details here: https://uwgv.ca/news/show-your-local-love-to-our-frontline-service-superheroes-during-the-covid-19-crisis/
Health and Safety issues during COVID-19: Short survey for HSA stewards and joint committee members
April 1, 2020
HSA is gathering information from HSA OHS stewards and joint committee members about how the Joint Occupational Health and Safety committees are functioning at worksites during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
WorkSafe BC has confirmed these committees must continue to function during the pandemic.
Extended health benefit plans now include tele- and virtual health options
April 1, 2020
Coverage rules have changed in light of the COVID-19 pandemic
The HBT team is working closely with Pacific Blue Cross to ensure employees have accessto Tele-Health and Virtual services to support ongoing care during COVID-19 social distancing initiatives.
NEW FOR EMPLOYEES: Reimbursement for Tele-Physiotherapy and Tele-Chiropractic TreatmentReimbursement is available to ALL employees who receive benefits:
Strong majority want government to halt rent, mortgage, and utility payments during COVID-19 crisis
April 1, 2020
It's clear that Canadians believe more help is required to ensure no one goes without housing or is financially gutted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Research Co., on behalf of the Natonal Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), its Component, the BC Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) and North99, conducted its first poll on this subject since the COVID-19 crisis began. The results demonstrate that people support new measures to protect them financially:
Joint statement on the suspension of the direct patient care staffing process
April 1, 2020
The 2019-2022 Nurses’ Bargaining Association (NBA) Collective Agreement includes a provision (Article 60) that requires health authorities (HA) and Providence Health Care (PHC) to implement a direct patient care staffing assessment process.
Nurses getting a premium wage for working during the COVID-19 pandemic. What about the rest of the health care team?
March 31, 2020
The “working short” premium, negotiated for nurses in the last round of bargaining, has been reworked in a deal between the BC Nurses Union and the employer to pay nurses a premium during the COVID-19 pandemic at least through to the end of April, if not longer.
The working short premium was intended to be a penalty on employers who did not have enough nurses on shift as needed. The intent was for employers to address staffing shortages within a year, and to apply the wage premium only in cases where they were unable to provide appropriate staffing.