The Report

The Report: September / October 2001 vol.22 num.4 by LEYA BEHRA Leya Behra, daughter of HSA member Zaheda Behra, has won the Tommy Douglas Scholarship offered through the National Union of Public and General Employees. Leya Behras imagination brought Tommy Douglas -sad and restless spirit" to speak to us. Leyas mother, Zaheda, is a medical radiation technologist at Vancouver General...

The Report: September / October 2001 vol.22 num.4 by CINDY STEWART It has been a very difficult six months for the union, and each and every one of our members. In January, your bargaining committee set out to negotiate a collective agreement that included a substantial wage increase for all our members. That was the mandate: a wage increase that...

The Report: September / October 2001 vol.22 num.4 by REID JOHNSON As a first-time member of a negotiating committee, I looked forward to the round of bargaining for a new collective agreement. I believed that as an active union member, the unions secretary-treasurer, and a trained social worker I would bring to the table a combination of skills that would...

The Report: September / October 2001 vol.22 num.4 by RICK LAMPSHIRE When the Liberals were elected in a landslide victory on May 17, we all knew that British Columbia was in for “a new era.” This new era was going to make British Columbia a better place for all British Columbians, Gordon Campbell told voters. Well, in the first 90...

The Report: September / October 2001 vol.22 num.4 In place of The Reports regular -Contract Interpretation" feature, we asked BCs most prominent labour historian to comment on the broader implications of the contracts imposed on health professionals in August. Please also see in-depth coverage above. interview with DR. MARK LEIER What effect do imposed contracts have on relationships between employers...

The Report: September / October 2001 vol.22 num.4 by DAN KEETON Liz Dohan Social Worker / Practice Leader Vancouver Cancer Centre On the scale of things that can shake you and force a pronounced revaluation of your life, being told you have breast cancer has to be close to the top. But learning to cope with that is only the...

The Report: July / August 2001 vol.22 num.3 by CAROL RIVIERE Adverse health effects from exposure to perfumes and fragranced products are becoming more frequent, both in and out of the workplace. Adverse reaction to fragrances include irritation of the upper and lower respiratory system (including asthmatic reactions), dermatitis, migraines, dizziness, confusion, fatigue, and in extreme cases, anaphylactic reactions. In...

The Report: July / August 2001 vol.22 num.3 by CINDY STEWART May 16 marked the end of a political era as British Columbians elected 77 Liberals and two New Democrats to represent them in the BC Legislature. It is an astounding mandate and one that we will watch with a mixture of uncertainty, trepidation and, quite frankly, curiosity – as...

The Report: July / August 2001 vol.22 num.3 by BRIEGE McCONVILLE As the newly-elected representative for Region 4, writing this report came as quite a challenge. After some thought, I decided that my own experience as one of the often-reported demographically aging members of HSA might be relevant to many fellow members who are in the same boat. As with...

The Report: July / August 2001 vol.22 num.3 by RICK LAMPSHIRE After bargaining for several months, which included mediated talks, negotiations for a new collective agreement for the Paramedical Professional Bargaining Association broke down on May 9. Right from the start of negotiations, the HEABC has made it clear that the employer’s – and the government’s – priority is nurses...