News & Updates

Late last week, the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) sent a letter to the Prime Minister of Canada, provincial and territorial Premiers, and leaders of the other federal parties, detailing the crisis brewing in shelters across Canada and urging the federal government to take swift action. Multiple issues make shelters a ticking time bomb In his letter...

Health Sciences Association, the union representing 20,000 specialized health care and social services workers in British Columbia, welcomes today’s announcement by BC Finance Minister Carole James of a $4 an hour pandemic pay premium for frontline health care and social service workers working in the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. “HSA has been at the forefront of the fight for recognition for...

The HSPBA Pandemic Response Fund negotiated by HSA on behalf of BC’s health science professionals will be reviewed following the announcement by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of $4bn in federal funding to recognize and support the work of essential workers. After reaching the $5mn Pandemic Response Fund agreement with the BC Ministry of Health last month, HSA continued to work...

Today's public briefing by Premier John Horgan and Health Minister Adrian Dix was short on details about how shortages and chronic challenges in recruitment and retention of health science professionals will be addressed in the plan. HSA has been advocating for several weeks that the plan must include all members of the healthcare team, including specialized health science professionals. See...

The recording of the telephone town hall and question and answer session is now available here.

With supply of N95 masks running low, Ministry of Health directs shift to alternative PPE guidelines The Ministry of Health (MOH) has advised the union that over the coming days, current supplies of N95 masks will likely be depleted to the point where non-traditional and reprocessed N95s may begin to enter the supply stream. There are reports from members that...

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,”...

To: All HSA members in the Community Bargaining Association (CBA) collective agreement From: HSA President Val Avery Date: April 8, 2020 This is a difficult time for healthcare workers around the province and I wanted to take this opportunity to update members on what HSA and the Community Bargaining Association (CBA) have been doing on your behalf and clarify some...

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. We have heard you...

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-supe…