News & Updates

HSA REPORT, MARCH 2015 BY LAURA BUSHEIKIN For many cancer patients, getting enough to eat is a challenge. At a time when being well-nourished is so essential, they face an array of challenging symptoms – mouth sores, taste changes, changes in saliva, nausea, vomiting, swallowing problems, constipation, and more, all potential side-effects of chemotherapy and radiation. And certain cancers, in...

HSA REPORT, MARCH 2015 The 37.5 hour work week first took effect on September 1, 2013, and over the course of that fall HSA filed a significant number of grievances on behalf of members impacted by the implementation. In the 18 months since then, a lot has happened. The 37.5 hour work week was proposed by the Health Employers Association...

Photo by Leif Norman HSA REPORT, MARCH 2015 ChildCare 2020 was the first national child care policy conference in a decade and the fourth such conference in Canada's history. The first was held in 1971 in conjunction with the growing women's rights movement. The second, in 1982, founded what is now the Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada. The third...

HSA REPORT, MARCH 2015 BY DENNIS BLATCHFORD, HSA PENSIONS AND BENEFITS ADVOCATE Can members expect to see changes in our health and welfare benefits through the new health and welfare trust? It would be good to have additional services like dietitians added to the extended health portion of the plan. We are far from a point where any changes to...

HSA REPORT, MARCH 2015 BY DAVID DURNING, HSA OHS OFFICER Diagnostic Medical Sonographers – workers who specialize in the use of imaging devices to produce diagnostic images, scans and videos – have always been at risk for developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Those injuries include tendonitis, bursitis and muscle and nerve damage to hands, arms, elbows, shoulders, necks and backs. HSA...

HSA REPORT, MARCH 2015 BY VAL AVERY, HSA PRESIDENT Workload and stress are among the most serious workplace challenges of our time. As a union, we're seeing an increasing number of members, from all professions, paying a terrible price for this. Compromised performance, increased illness and disability wreak havoc on professionals, their families, and the health care system itself. We...

Stewards play a vital role in the union. Particularly important is the steward's role in contract interpretation, organizing and the grievance procedure. In recognition of the need for educating new stewards in these areas, HSA is offering 3-day Basic Steward Training workshops at the HSA office as follows: Dates:May 11 - 13, 2015June 1 - 3, 2015 Location: HSA Office...

HSA President Val Avery joined labour leaders at the BC Federation of Labour annual lobby of government decision-makers in Victoria yesterday. Avery met with Health Minister Terry Lake, qne other government and opposition MLAs. See the story from the BC Federation of Labour here: http://bcfed.ca/news/releases/bc-federation-labour-brings-good-jobs-mes…

Following a February 24 meeting and review of feedback from the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association, led by HSA, Provincial Health Services Authority has announced it intends to rethink the laboratory services redesign proposed earlier this month. On February 3, PHSA served section 54 notice that it intended to introduce a change to Lower Mainland pathology and laboratory services focusing...

Nominations for the position of representative to the HSA Board of Directors in Regions 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 closed Thursday February 19 with nominations submitted for one candidate in each of the regions. No elections will be required. Returning to the board are: Anne Davis, Region 1. Davis is a Program Coordinator at the Comox Valley Transition Society...