News & Updates

In this issue: Domestic Violence Survey: Can Work Be Safe When Home Isn’t? 2014 OH&S Training Opportunities HSA Occupational Health and Safety Conference – June 16-17, 2014 Workplace Exposure Registry Domestic violence survey: Can Work Be Safe When Home Isn’t? Have you completed your survey yet? Help us learn more about the impact of domestic violence in the workplace. Fill...

Members of the multi-union Community Health Bargaining Association (CBA) – including almost 800 HSA members -- have voted 78.7% in favour of accepting a new collective agreement with the Health Employers’ Association of BC (HEABC). The five-year collective agreement expires on March 31, 2019 and covers over 15,000 union members working in community health across the province. “BC’s health care...

The Community Social Services Labour Adjustment and Education Fund Committee is calling for new applications from members working in the community social services sector. If you were laid off as of April 1, 2011, have had a reduction in hours and are currently a union member covered by the Community Social Services Bargaining Association Collective Agreement OR If you are...

Under the 2014-2019 collective agreement recently ratified by health science professionals, improvements in drug coverage are now in effect. Every member covered by the Health Science Professionals contract should be receiving a letter outlining the changes from Pacific Blue Cross in the coming days. A sample letter is attached here. The plan now covers 100% of eligible expenses for drugs...

Codevelopment Canada, a BC-based non-governmental organization working for social change in the Americas, is inviting interested HSA members to travel to Nicaragua and Honduras to meet with and celebrate the accomplishment of women's groups supporting maquila workers. The ten-day visit is scheduled for February 28 to March 9. Members are responsible for their own costs, estimated as $3500 to $4000...

HOW TO VOTE Community Health members planning to mail in their ballots are advised to get them in the mail ASAP to guarantee the ballots will arrive in time for the cutoff at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 31, 2014. In the Lower Mainland, it may take only a day or two to reach the office, but we do recommend...

The BC Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation is coordinating a consultation to determine how to remove barriers and increase accessibility for people with disabilities in British Columbia. The process includes a series of in-person community consultation sessions around the province scheduled from January 20 to the end of February. Dates, locations and times are listed here. Members can...

With more than 1,500 grievances filed by health science professionals over the implementation of the 37.5 hour work week last year, three initial days of expedited hearings have now been scheduled to hear the grievances through a process negotiated and agreed to by HSPBA and HEABC. The grievances will be considered March 10, 11, and 12 in Vancouver, with two...

Thursday March 6 and Friday March 7, 2014HSA Head officeHSA invites women in our union to join us for two days of sharing to celebrate International Women’s Day. HSA is providing the opportunity for members to participate in a workshop that combines attending IWD events and in-house HSA training. Learn about:• the significance of International Women’s Day• women’s struggles and...

83% of HSA RPNs reject raid campaign to date Registered Psychiatric Nurses at Surrey Memorial Hospital and Abbotsford Regional Hospital have voted to stick with HSA despite an aggressive and well-funded raid campaign by the BC Nurses' Union and the Union of Psychiatric Nurses. The results in Surrey and Abbotsford are consistent with dozens of other votes held at worksites...