Issues, Campaigns and Government Relations

The Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) has called off rotating strikes planned for the coming week. Following three round-the-clock days of talks mediated by veteran labour mediator Vince Ready, the government tabled a proposal just before midnight Saturday for a wage increase and massive concessions. The proposal adds up to a general wage increase of 1.4 per cent over...

For immediate release: December 7, 2012 Caring professionals from not-for-profit agencies that support vulnerable families on the North Island will be on strike Monday, December 10. Community workers want to send a clear message to the B.C. government: stop putting vulnerable families last! Since 2004, the B.C. Liberal government has cut $300 million in funding for programs that support vulnerable...

In spite of an agreement reached between HSA and other health care unions and the Ministry of Health last week, some members continue to get pressure to either produce evidence of vaccination against seasonal influenza, or wear a mask during the flu season, which was declared open December 1. For members information, at the meeting held between the Ministry of...

Canadian Press The second stage of strike action by members of the Health Sciences Association hits BC hospitals today. Workers who deliver diagnostic imaging services like x-rays, CT scans and ultrasounds will scale back to essential services as part of an effort to pressure the government to come up with a better contract offer. The union's job action began yesterday...

Health science professionals began rotating strikes today to put pressure on government to get serious about bargaining a new collective agreement with the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA). Hospital pharmacists reduced services to essential services only. Starting at midnight tonight, health science professionals who deliver diagnostic imaging services will reduce their services to essential services only. This group of...

The Daily Bulletin (Kimberley) Hospital pharmacists and medical imaging technicians plan to go ahead with brief strikes Thursday and Friday as a mediator attempts to reach a settlement with 16,000 health science employees at hospitals and clinics across B.C. Mediator Vince Ready was brought in Tuesday after negotiations that started in February failed to produce an agreement. The Health Employers...

Alberni Valley Times The B.C. government has temporarily backed away from a controversial plan to force thousands of provincial health workers to get a flu shot before they can work with patients. Instead of forcing workers to wear a mask or have the mandatory flu vaccination, the B.C. Health Ministry said it will work towards voluntary compliance from workers in...

On December 6, Canadians will once again pause to remember the importance of taking action against violence against women and girls. The date was declared by Canadas Parliament in 1991, in commemoration of the December 6, 1989 Montreal Massacre. Violence against women continues to be a serious issue in Canada. And most alarmingly is the violence against Aboriginal women and...

On December 3, the world recognizes International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is calling on all levels of government in Canada to make full participation in society for people with disabilities a policy priority. People with disabilities already make a considerable contribution to our society but they could do so much...

The Report: December 2012 vol.33 num.4 IN OUR LONG HISTORY, HSA MEMBERS HAVE RARELY FELT WE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PREPARE FOR A STRIKE. Our health science professional members have only gone on strike three times before now, and the last time more than 11 years ago. Its not something we take lightly. That is why it is so...