News & Updates

Reminder for Victoria-area members: Members on the island are invited to participate in the -Walk for Community Social Services" planned for Victoria on March 27. The walk celebrates the vital role of community social services. City: Victoria, BC Date: Saturday, March 27 Time: Gather at Centennial Square at 10:30am; wrap-up BBQ at noon A poster and pre-registration information are attached...

Talks got underway today in Burnaby for a new collective agreement for health science professionals who deliver the critical diagnostic, clinical and rehabilitation services British Columbians depend on for their good health. Reid Johnson, President of the Health Sciences Association of BC, said the bargaining committees mandate is to achieve a collective agreement that protects quality health care and values...

OHSAH to Publish Research on Nurses Working Overtime A new OHSAH study, led by the Statistics and Evaluations team's Occupational Hygienist Sharla Drebit, shows that full time Registered Nurses are working an increasing amount of overtime hours each year. The highest number of these hours are in the Emergency, Intensive Care and General Medical departments which are therefore contributing the...

Highlights effects of health and social service cutsThis week, the Coalition to Build a Better BC announced that more than 25 groups have joined together to oppose provincial government funding cuts and to work on real solutions to build a better province. HSA is among the members of the Coalition, which includes groups from the arts community, first nations, health...

International Womens Day: When our mothers entered the workforce a generation ago, job postings still listed higher wages for men ... -mens rates" ... alongside lower -womens rates," for people working side by side, doing exactly the same job. While women have fought for and achieved many significant gains, the wage gap between women and men today remains staggering: almost...

All HSA members are welcome to attend and speak at HSAs Annual Convention in Vancouver April 15-17, 2010, at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Only delegates, however, receive financial support to attend, and have the right to vote at convention. For chapters with 49 or fewer members, the HSA chief steward is the sole delegate. If the chief steward is not...

In 2006, community social services workers represented by HSA finally won access to the Municipal Pension Plan. You may be eligible to enrol starting April 1, 2010. HSA strongly recommends all eligible employees enrol. Your employer determines your eligibility, and will send you information if you qualify. You then have 90 days to decide whether you want to enrol. Do...

Due to increased demand for steward training, HSA is offering the following workshop: Basic Steward Training(3-day workshop): May 10, 11, 12, 2010 Please apply ASAP as workshops have been filling up quickly.Pre-registration forms are available from the HSA website at www.hsabc.org. Printer-friendly version Application Form

To celebrate Community Social Services Month in BC, unions representing workers in the community social services sector have been working together to develop a poster, leaflet, and website. These materials highlight the importance of the wide spectrum of crucial services provided by our members ... services for women, youths at risk, infants and children, as well as advocacy, rehabilitation, support...

(This information applies to HSA members of the Community Social Services Bargaining Association.) A professional development education fund announced in November is still available to HSA members in the community social services sector. Applications are due March 31, 2010. Professional development that could be considered for funding includes: Obtaining or upgrading a credential (eg certificate, diploma, baccalaureate, masters) Upgrading diplomas...