Bulletins

Talks to renew the Community Health Services and Support provincial contract have adjourned and the unions will be conducting a strike vote. HSA President Reid Johnson said that after eight long months at the bargaining table, members in community health services and support deserve a fair and reasonable deal. -These workers provide crucial services in many community settings," he said...

Public rally on Sept. 13 in support of community social services With a strong strike mandate backing members demands for a fair deal in General Services and Community Living Services, the Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA) will meet with employers on September 17 and 18. Potential job action is likely without a change in governments restrictive so-called -cooperative gains"...

In spite of the unions cease and desist request and an active arbitration about employers failure to adhere to certain terms and conditions negotiated in the 2010-2012 HSPBA collective agreement, employers continue to implement classification changes. HSA, on behalf of the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association, charged that HEABC has contravened the collective agreement by failing or refusing to work...

BCs Provincial Health Officer Perry Kendall yesterday announced new measures for influenza prevention among health care workers and patients. As in previous years, health care workers who work in patient care areas are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated annually against influenza. However, under the new policy, if health care workers chose not to be vaccinated they will be required to...

The federal government plans to close the Kitsilano Coast Guard Station at the end of the summer, leaving all rescues in Vancouver harbour to the Sea Island Station in Richmond, 17 nautical miles away. The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) asks you to add your voice to the growing number of elected officials and prominent British Columbians who are...

In May 2012, FORME Ergonomics was contracted by Marty Lovick, Senior Labour Relations Officer, Health Sciences Association of British Columbia, to investigate a query from a number of members regarding insufficient information on cardiac ultrasonography contained in the Best Practices for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers package recently released by the Health Sciences Association. The objective was to complete a brief review...

HSAs annual fall regional meetings have been scheduled for September and October 2012. Regional meetings are an excellent forum for HSA members to review the issues and activities of the past year, and discuss the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. This year, the day-long regional meeting will be followed by a day-long disability management education workshop. The workshop will...

HSA is joining with community social service workers in Victoria to invite members and the community to a summer picnic to celebrate the work of the dedicated people who work every day with some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. The Community Support Workers United ... a local of the Hospital Employees Union, has organized the event to...

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 focus on opportunities for HSA members to be involved in the May 2013 provincial election, but will also touch on municipal and federal elections. If you want to help elect representatives who will...

Community social services workers around the province have voted strongly in favour of job action to back their bargaining proposals. Members in General Services have voted 85 per cent in favour of strike action. Members in Community Living Services voted 90 per cent in favour. -HSA members are joining with members in nine other unions who represent the 15,000 workers...