Issues, Campaigns and Government Relations

Advocates working to protect B.C.s universal public health care system are troubled by recent statements made by newly-appointed health minister Mike de Jong, hinting at a bigger role for theprivate sector in health care delivery.Speaking to media during his first day on the job, de Jong argued that patients do not care who owns the health care facility or employs...

Following the US election, the Republican right launched an all-out attack on trade union and collective bargaining rights. While other states have initiated anti-union legislation, Wisconsin has been the front-line of the assault, and a symbol of resistance to the conservative agenda. Canadian unions are joining in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in the US, and this Monday night...

Two upcoming events in Vancouver: Public Health and Social Justice: Partners in Health reports on post-earthquake Haiti Date: Wednesday March 23, 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm Location: UBC: Room 200, Hennings Bldg, 6224 Agricultural Road, (across the Main Mall from the Student Union Building) Free admission. For more information: @email / @email 778-858-5179 Sponsored by the Terry Project, in collaboration...

March 8 marks the 100th Anniversary of International Womens Day. Just a generation ago, when our mothers entered the workforce, job postings still listed higher wages for men ... -mens rates" ... alongside lower -womens rates," for people working side by side, doing exactly the same job. While women have fought for and achieved many significant gains, the wage gap...

To mark the 100th anniversary of womens day, HSA is making available celebratory stickers ( click here to view sample). As the Canadian Labour Congress recently noted: Without question, Canadian women have made pension gains in recent decades. This is particularly true for women workers in the public sector, and women retirees with access to public pensions. Some think times...

Question ... what do the players of Super Bowl champs the Green Bay Packers have in common with Wisconsins teachers, social workers, nurses and state employees? Answer ... all are rising up in protest to the union-busting antics of Governor Scott Walker (for more see here). Walker has recently earned the nickname ‘Hosni for his announcement that he is planning...

WorkSafeBC has issued nine separate orders at two Victoria-area mental health facilities criticizing the failure of Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) to protect the safety of staff. -This is a staggering number of WorkSafeBC orders issued against one employer," said HSA President Reid Johnson. Johnson, who has worked on psychiatric wards as a social worker, said unstable psychiatric patients are...

HSA is holding a 2-day, non-partisan election campaign school for members who are interested in working on election campaigns or running for political office. The school will discuss opportunities for HSA members to be involved in municipal elections scheduled for the fall of 2011, as well as a likely federal election and possible provincial election in 2011. If you want...

Join Libby Davies, MP and Don Davies, MP, for an important discussion. Thursday, January 20th: 7pm to 9pmMount Pleasant Neighbourhood House800 East Broadway @ Prince Albert, 1 block east of Fraser With special guest panelists: • Megan Leslie and Adrian Dix, Federal NDP and BC NDP Health Critics• Rachel Tutte, Co-Chair of the BC Health Coalition• Sylvia MacLeay, President of...

HSA members who work at CML Healthcare on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland have voted to accept a new contract providing significant gains. The ratification votes were held last week. For highlights of the agreement, see the November 23, 2010 bulletin. Printer-friendly version.