News & Updates

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) and Health Sciences Association of BC (HSA) released today a research paper focused on respiratory protection for health workers caring for COVID-19 patients. “Health care workers around the world are reporting that personal protective equipment guidelines are inconsistent and in short supply. As this pandemic hits our health care system in...

By Samantha Ponting, HSA Communications Angie Combs, aboriginal patient liaison worker at Wrinch Memorial Hospital in Hazelton, BC, recalls that staff at the hospital would occasionally ask her to teach them some words and phrases in Gitxsanimaax, the language spoken by the Gitxsan First Nation. The hospital is on Gitxsan territory, which spans 33,000 square kilometers across northwest BC. “I...

HSA’s annual convention, slated for April 1 – 3, 2020 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Vancouver, has been postponed indefinitely. The decision to postpone was made last night on an emergency conference call meeting of the union’s Board of Directors. The union has weighed the risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic to the more than 400 delegates registered to...

Amid growing concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, and the need to take constructive steps to control contamination, the Board of Directors of Health Sciences Association of BC (HSA) has postponed indefinitely the union’s annual convention, slated for April 1-3, 2020 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Vancouver. “This was a difficult call, but the right call...

URGENT QUESTION ABOUT COVID-19 RESPONSE AT YOUR WORKSITE? E-MAIL @email or call 1-604-549-5168. E-MAIL AND THE PHONE LINE ARE BEING MONITORED BY LABOUR RELATIONS EXPERTS 8:30 am to 5:00 pm MONDAY TO FRIDAY. B.C.’s health care system is on heightened alert to contain and slow the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. The BC Centre for Disease Control reports the...

As part of the new Nurses Bargaining Association 2019-2022 collective agreement, effective April 1, 2020, HSA registered psychiatric nurses are eligible for partial reimbursement of fees paid to the BC College of Nursing Professionals (BCCNP). The rate of reimbursement has been set at $215 per member. To claim for partial reimbursement of your fees, pay your college fees to the...

Joe Sebastian will continue to represent HSA members in Region 4 on the union’s Board of Directors. Sebastian was re-elected to serve a two-year term, representing HSA members in Region 4 from several worksites, including Vancouver General Hospital, Richmond Hospital, and UBC Hospital. A medical radiation technologist, he was first elected to the union’s Board of Directors in April 2014...

COVID 19: UPDATE TO HSA MEMBERS The provincial medical health officer has provided regular briefings to BC’s health care unions about the developing situation worldwide related to COVID 19 (Novel Coronavirus). Information from the medical health officers is that Canada is dealing well with this virus. A provincial committee dedicated to coordinating a standardized response across the health authorities in...

Upcoming HSA Workshops and Trainings: Basic Steward Training Supervisors in the Union Registration Information: Stewards may register by logging into My Events Registration . Workshops are listed under Steward Education events. Basic Steward Training (3 days) 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...

For Immediate Release Health Sciences Association of BC says today’s provincial budget makes important investments in health care and affordability measures, but professional shortages in the health care system require action. HSA represents more than 18,000 highly trained professionals working in medical imaging and lab testing, physiotherapy, social work, respiratory therapy, pharmacy, early childhood development, and many other health science...