Issues, Campaigns and Government Relations

The Report: December 2012 vol.33 num.4 IN AN IDEAL WORLD, STRIKES WOULD NOT BE NECESSARY. Employees and employers would meet at the bargaining table, discuss bargaining proposals based upon reason, justice and mutual respect. They would use objective data and negotiate a settlement. In reality, that is often what happens. However, sometimes there are significantly different points of view about...

The Report: December 2012 vol.33 num.4 HEALTH SCIENCE PROFESSIONALS DELIVERED A RESOUNDING 90 PERCENT STRIKE VOTE TO BACK THEIR BARGAINING COMMITTEE IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH BC'S HEALTH EMPLOYERS. -This strong vote sends a clear message to government and health authorities that its time to come to the table and negotiate a fair and reasonable collective agreement," said Reid Johnson, President of...

The Report: December 2012 vol.33 num.4 AFTER NINE MONTHS OF HARD BARGAINING, WE HAVE REACHED AN IMPASSE. LET ME TELL YOU HOW WE GOT HERE. You have given the bargaining committee a clear mandate: restore competitive wages, protect benefits and protect working conditions, including dealing with workload and call issues. We have spent nine months trying to kick start negotiations...

On the eve of the implementation of a new province-wide policy that threatened to fire health science professionals who refused to declare whether they had been vaccinated against seasonal flu, Health Sciences Association has negotiated an agreement that sees the government back off on the policys punitive aspects. This year, the Ministry of Health will focus on educational efforts and...

70,000 B.C. health care workers are still without new collective agreements Its time for a fair and reasonable deal. Speakers: Jim Sinclair & Irene Lanzinger, BC Federation of Labour Darryl Walker, President, BCGEU Bonnie Pearson, Secretary-Business Manager, HEU Reid Johnson, President, HSA Where: Vancouver Art Gallery, North Side When: Wednesday November 7, 12:15 pm Twitter: #rally4healthcare Download the flyer

The Community Bargaining Association (CBA) reviewed the employer's latest offer. Although a wage increase is included in the offer, it is tied securely to a corresponding "offset" (cost savings) from the collective agreement. The offset is matched by the employer to provide the wage increase. There is no guarantee built into the proposal that the wage increase will not be...

Hospital pharmacists are chronically understaffed. Theyre overextended in caring for patients who are increasingly acutely ill when they arrive at hospital. Clinical pharmacists ... along with other health science professionals -- are concerned that a chronic recruitment and retention crisis is eroding clinical care in BC. Clinical pharmacists have been speaking up to government representatives and reaching out to supporters...

Summary High profile targeted strike action by community social service workers took place in Vancouver, Kamloops and Prince George last week, with considerable public support and excellent media coverage; Political action also took place today at Social Development Minister Moira Stillwells office in Vancouver; Further targeted job action will take place late this week, with details to be announced. Last...

How do we work together against violence in health care workplaces? For the first time ever, the annual international conference to counter violence in the health sector is taking place in North America. More than 470 participants from around the world have gathered at the Sheraton Airport Hotel in Richmond to hear from experts and take part in workshops at...

Please see the attached poster for information on a rally organized by the B.C. Federation Of Labours Womens Rights Committee and the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada to oppose motion M-312. This motion, put forward by Conservative MP Stephen Woodworth, is up for a second hour of debate Friday, September 21st at 1:30 pm and a vote on Wednesday, September...