The Report

The Report: December 2008 vol.29 num.5 I am a part-time dietitian working for the Northern Health Authority under the Health Science Professionals contract. My mother has passed away, and I need to travel to Ontario to be with my family and help with funeral arrangements. How much compassionate time am I allowed? Do I need to provide a death certificate...

The Report: December 2008 vol.29 num.5 by LAURA BUSHEIKIN onique had never had a serious injury before. Shed put herself through college by working as a food server, and although shed often ended up with sore feet and an ache in her lower back, shed been told that sort of thing was just part of the job. So when she...

The Report: December 2007 / January 2008 vol.28 num.6 by REID JOHNSON s the finishing touches were being put on the 1500-page report fromthe BC governments yearlong Conversation on Health, Health MinisterGeorge Abbott continued to pussy-foot around the issue of increasedprivatization of our health care system. Following a meeting with former UK Health Minister Frank Dobson who warned Abbott about...

The Report: December 2007 / January 2008 vol.28 num.6by MIRIAM SOBRINO his question about regional seniority arose from discussions at a regional meeting held this fall on Vancouver Island. I understand that it was mandated by the union over ten years ago to pursue a provincial wide seniority list, allowing members to travel to any hospital in the province. What...

The Report: December 2007 / January 2008 vol.28 num.6by LAURA BUSHEIKIN ean Lee was an HSA member for 18 years without giving much thought towhat she could do for the union, or what it could do for her. -I had no clue," says Lee ruefully. This changed radically last February when Lee reluctantly accepted the position of General Steward for...

The Report: December 2007 / January 2008 vol.28 num.6 by YUKIE KURAHASHI hen she answers the door to her suburban Victoria home, her facelights up. She seems just as shes always been: lively, with thatmischievous light in her eyes. But former HSA board member JennyRobertson is facing new challenges. An occupational therapist is just heading out the door, saying her...

The Report: October / November 2008 vol.29 num.4 by REID JOHNSON Gordon Campbell just wants you to shut up BC. That was the message unions delivered through advertising when the B.C. government introduced Bill 42, the election law that limits organizations' ability to comment on government's actions. -The legislation effectively muzzles discussion about the throne speech, the budget, and any...

The Report: October / November 2008 vol.29 num.4 by CAROLE PEARSON 've had an amazing career," says Cathy Fix, an ultrasound supervisor for Providence Health in vancouver. -Ive been doing ultrasound for 25 years. Ive done sales, clinical applications, and some marketing. Ive done traveling with it. Ive been to places like Bangkok, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the States. For me...

The Report: October / November 2008 vol.29 num.4 by LAURA BUSHEIKIN n Uganda, there are no biomedical engineers. When medical equipment breaks, it is often just shoved into a storage room. Sometimes, even new, perfectly functioning medical equipment, donated by a well-meaning NGO or foreign government wanting to help this country recover from years of brutal dictatorship and repression, just...

The Report: October / November 2008 vol.29 num.4 What are the general guidelines you recommend for scheduling vacations? What happens if my vacation gets cancelled because of staff shortages? As vacation scheduling can be a very sensitive issue, both members and union stewards should be proactive and be aware of deadlines for vacation requests and approvals. Ask for notification of...