News & Updates
Take time to vote
May 5, 2017
HSA members are urged to vote in the provincial election. The outcome of this election will have a profound effect on your working conditions, the health care and community services you provide, and other public services that your families, friends and communities rely on. Several ways to vote The last 2 days of Advance Voting are May 5 and 6 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (local time).
Mental Health Workshop - May 11, 2017
May 1, 2017
Keynote: Working Together to Address Workplace Mental Health
HSA to mark April 28 National Day of Mourning
April 27, 2017
On Friday, April 28th, HSA President Val Avery will join leaders of the labour movement to honour workers killed or injured on the job with events across the country.
BC Nurses' Union withdraws raid application on Vernon Jubilee Members
April 27, 2017
The BC Nurses' Union has withdrawn its application to raid registered psychiatric nurses working at Vernon Jubilee Hospital.
After RPN members of HSA had expressed a number of concerns about tactics being used by organizers from the Nurses' Union, HSA filed an unfair labour practice complaint with the BC Labour Relations Board. The LRB has ruled that the Nurses' Union is prohibited from making any further raid attempts at Vernon Jubilee Hospital for 22 months.
Canadian Nursing Week Workshop for RPNs
April 24, 2017
To celebrate Canadian Nursing Week, May 8 to 14, Health Sciences Association has partnered with the Canadian Mental Health Association to offer a new workshop specifically for HSA Registered Psychiatric Nurses.
Join us at the HSA head office in New Westminster, BC on Thursday, May 11 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm for this two-part workshop:
Working Together to Address Workplace Mental Health keynote and Awareness of Mental Health Workshop.
Join HSA President Val Avery at the Rally for a Better BC – Sunday April 23rd
April 20, 2017
HSA members and their family and friends are invited to attend the Countdown to a Better BC with John Horgan rally this Sunday. Date: Sunday, April 23, 2017 Time: 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm Place: Commodore Ballroom - 868 Granville St, Vancouver
Update to members on health and welfare benefits
April 19, 2017
April 1, 2017 marked the day that the new Joint Health Science Benefits Trust took over stewardship of members’ health and welfare benefits, including Long Term Disability. The move from an employer-controlled fund to a jointly trusteed fund with equal representation from unions and employers was negotiated in 2014 Health Science Professionals contract bargaining.
Val Avery re-elected as HSA president
April 11, 2017
Physiotherapist Val Avery was re-elected to serve as HSA president for another two years at the union’s annual convention in Vancouver over the weekend. More than 300 delegates attended the convention.
“I’ve been active in the labour movement for over 30 years and let me tell you I have never once stopped being amazed at the skill, dedication and passion of our members,” Avery told delegates.
“Every one of us comes into this union as an individual, often with a singular focus on the many challenges of our diverse and unique professions. But then something happens.
New Occupational Health and Safety Regulations in force today
April 3, 2017
On December 14, 2016 the Workers Compensation Board of Directors approved changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. These changes seek to improve Joint Health and Safety Committee (JOSH) involvement in workplace safety and empower worker representatives in investigations and recommendations for improvement in health and safety.
Effective today, April 3, 2017, the following changes will be in full force:
Christopherson re-elected to serve on HSA Board of Directors
March 22, 2017
John Christopherson has been elected to serve a two-year term as a member of HSA’s Board of Directors, representing HSA members in Region 5 from several worksites, including Children’s and Women’s Hospital, Vancouver and Fraser Valley Cancer Centres, Sunny Hill Health Centre, Open Door Group, and the Centre for Ability.