News & Updates

During the next several weeks, HSA members in Region 2 will have an opportunity to elect their representative on HSA's Board of Directors. Nominations for the position closed with two members declaring their candidacy: • Derrick Hoyt a pathologist's assistant at Victoria's Royal Jubilee Hospital • Anna Morton, a social worker at the Queen Alexandra Centre for Child Development In...

HSA welcomes plans to invest in new and upgraded health care facilities and hopes to work with the provincial government on a plan to deal with the shortage of health science professionals needed to staff them.“New buildings are only as good as the people who work in them,” said Val Avery, president of Health Sciences Association of BC. “We’re very...

Health science professionals will soon have greater control over their benefits thanks to a new joint benefits trust. The trustees will become part of an innovative and progressive approach that gives them the flexibility to design a benefit structure that aligns with members' needs. It is fitting that health science professionals were first to sign onto this initiative, given how...

We're happy to announce that on April 1, 2016, the first of three compensation comparability wage increases for Community Social Services (CSS) workers will take effect. This 2.5% increase, combined with the Economic Stability Dividend of .45% will result in an increase for all members covered by the Community Living Services and General Services collective agreements. Click here to see...

The 23 recommendations made by the BC Legislature’s Committee on Children and Youth are critical to addressing the current crisis in mental health services for children and youth.Health Sciences Association (HSA) represents health professionals working in mental health and addictions in acute and community health care settings throughout the province. Members include child and youth mental health support workers, psychologists...

As a result of the Section 54 issued in February of 2015, the PHSA laboratory redesign will now be proceeding, starting with a Phase One job fair February 3 and 4, 2016. If you are not available February 3 or 4 please ensure that you speak with PHSA redesign and your HSA LRO. On January 25, 2016, PHSA issued a...

HSA is aware that the BC Nurses Union is soliciting HSA members to apply for more than 1,500 nursing jobs announced jointly with the provincial government last week. The jobs are to replace the use of casual nurses and overtime to address staffing challenges in nursing across the province. While HSA has advocated for the creation of positions in the...

Occupational health and safety is important to HSA members. Safety stewards and representatives on joint OH&S committees play a vital role in promoting a safe work environment and preventing injuries. HSA is offering the following OH&S workshop in Victoria for stewards and representatives on joint occupational health and safety committees in Regions 1 & 2. This workshop is participatory and...

Occupational health and safety is important to HSA members. Safety stewards and representatives on joint OH&S committees play a vital role in promoting a safe work environment and preventing injuries. HSA is offering the following OH&S workshops in the New Westminster office. These workshops are participatory and discussion-oriented, providing an opportunity to examine examples from your own workplace. Registration is...

This year, Regional Director elections will take place in Regions 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10. All HSA members in these regions are encouraged to put their name forward for these important positions. The Board of Directors meets quarterly, and directors take an active leadership role in representing the union. They receive wage replacement at their regular rate of pay...