News & Updates

Violence in the workplace, workload, health and safety issues are just a few major challenges community social service workers face. Since 2008, the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) has recognized November 6 as Community Social Service Workers Appreciation Day. Now two provinces and over 125 communities across Canada also recognize November 6 as a day to show...

The Health Sciences Association of BC has joined the growing list of leading BC unions to endorse Irene Lanzinger for President of the BC Federation of Labour. "As secretary-treasurer of the BC Federation of Labour, Irene has demonstrated that she is a strong advocate for the services our members deliver in health care and social services," said HSA President Val...

HSA has contracted with Viewpoints Research to conduct a survey to find out more about how HSA members feel about how their union responds to concerns and communicates important information. Your feedback is important. Note that this is one of many opportunities allowing members to share their thoughts about strategic planning for the next few years. If you are contacted...

October 26 to November 1 is Respiratory Therapist week, and to celebrate, HSA has invited Lily Cheung, an RT at Vancouver General Hospital, to take over the HSA twitter feed for a week and post about daily life on the front lines of respiratory therapy. It's all part of HSA's work to promote the visibility and public awareness of our...

A screen shot of the web site. On Monday, HSA launched a new series of ads designed to promote the work of our diverse professions. The series of five ads, appearing on radio stations across the province for the next six weeks, demonstrate how our many professions connect to each other, and how we connect the public to modern health...

RPN members are advised that the BCNU is taking advantage of an error made by Fraser Health Authority to try to raid members at Mission Memorial Hospital. Fraser Health Authority signed Mission Memorial members into the BCNU when they were first hired. This was in error, as RPNs at Mission Memorial are members of Health Sciences Association. FHA subsequently sent...

Ebola Backgrounder There has never been a case of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Canada. In areas where Ebola is present, the virus can spread through: contact with infected animals contact with blood, body fluids or tissues of infected persons contact with contaminated medical equipment such as needles As long as appropriate precautions are taken, there is low risk of...

THE REPORT, OCTOBER 2014 BY VAL AVERY, PRESIDENT, HSA In early September, HSA learned that the BC Nurses' Union planned to execute a swift takeover of the Union of Psychiatric Nurses before moving on to actively raid HSA's registered psychiatric nurses. This means BCNU organizers will be approaching HSA members at work – and likely at home – and trying...

HSA REPORT, OCTOBER 2014 BY CAROL RIVIERE Choosing the politicians who govern our communities at the municipal or regional district level, and the school trustees who make decisions that affect our children's education, is a critical issue for working families. On November 15th, British Columbians will choose the people who will hold these positions throughout the province for the next...

HSA REPORT, OCTOBER 2014 BY JEANNE MEYERS, LABOUR RELATIONS AND LEGAL SERVICES HSA members can count on extraordinary support from hundreds of stewards around the province, and many of you know them well. But the stewards themselves depend on a team of labour relations staff who many members will never meet. I'd like to shine a light on their work...