Issues, Campaigns and Government Relations

The Community Bargaining Association (CBA) tabled proposals last week as talks began with the Health Employers’ Association of BC (HEABC). At this point in time, we are pushing to achieve non-monetary priorities that members identified as important measures to address the recruitment and retention crisis in the sector. The employer has recognized that we share some common goals. They are...

Data now being used in ongoing talks urging government to improve guidelines Almost 1700 HSA members have responded quickly to a short survey circulated by HSA over the last ten days, and the results indicate deepening concern about the impact of staffing shortages on both working conditions and patient safety. Furthermore, there are ongoing concerns about access to N95 respirators...

2022 is off to a busy start for HSA with preparations underway for contract negotiations for members working in health care and community social services. Contracts covering more than 20,000 members are set to expire March 31, 2022. Also coming up in 2022 is the union’s annual convention April 28-30, planned to be held in person in Vancouver. In the...

Facility level data needed to push government for stronger protections against Omicron Since the onset of the pandemic, HSA has been pushing government to protect health science and community social service professionals on the front lines. Our union led the way by commissioning original research by Dr. John Murphy an expert on occupational hygiene and adjunct professor at the Dalla...

As health science professionals and other health care workers continue to experience crushing workloads caused by long-standing shortages, which continue to be exacerbated by health care staff absences because of the accelerated spread of Covid-19 at health care worksites, HSA is calling on the Ministry of Health to ensure enhanced precautions are put in place. In addition, the union rejects...

With BC entering the third state of provincial emergency of 2021, HSA is offering financial assistance to members who are being displaced from their homes due to overland flooding in Abbotsford, Merritt and Princeton. HSA members in these areas and in need of immediate assistance can qualify for $500 in emergency funding by completing the following declaration form. Funds will...

Monday, October 25 th is an important day to make the case for paid sick leave for all. HSA members are invited to participate in a Covid-safe Day of Action at the provincial legislature in Victoria and at SkyTrain stations in Burnaby and Surrey to call on Premier John Horgan and the BC government to lead the country and enshrine...

Are you a young HSA member (35 and under) interested in increased young worker participation in the union?The union’s board of directors is seeking members aged 35 and younger to get involved in HSA's Young Workers’ Advisory Group.The Advisory Group’s purpose is to work to understand how HSA is relevant to young workers (those 35 and under) and how to...

This September 30 th, 2021 is the first year that the federal government has declared a statutory holiday to mark Truth and Reconciliation. In past years, September 30 th has been marked as Orange Shirt Day. This date was chosen out of recognition that it was typically late September / early October that the federal government’s Indian Agents came for...

The following information is being shared from the Community Savings Credit Union: To help ease the burden of evacuations and loss, Community Savings Credit Union is providing up to $15,000 of financial support to help union members impacted by wildfires. Community Savings Credit Union will provide $500 in funds directly to individual union members that require assistance. $15,000 will be...