News & Updates

(Vancouver) Today, Madame Justice Smith announced her ruling to allow the BC Health Coalition and their pro-medicare partners to participate as intervenors in the pivotal B.C. Supreme Court case launched by Dr. Brian Day and a consortium of private for-profit clinics against the B.C. Medical Services Commission and the provincial government. The group of private for-profit clinics are seeking to...

No more cuts and broken promises! Join representatives from across Vancouver Island to deliver their messages to Kevin Falcon & Gordon Campbell: It's time to protect public health care, not destroy it! Date:Wednesday, November 18, 2009 Time:12:00 Noon Location:Front Lawn of the BC Legislature, Victoria Buses leaving from Campbell River, Port Alberni, Parksville & Nanaimo -- to book your seat...

(This information applies to HSA members of the Community Social Services Bargaining Association.)On April 2, 2009, the constituent unions of the CSSBA entered into a Settlement Agreement with the Provincial Government to resolve litigation related to the Health and Social Services Delivery Improvement Act (Bill 29). HSA and the other unions made professional development a priority. As a result, the...

Despite a province-wide protest by parents against the elimination of specialized treatment for severely autistic children, 43 therapists were issued lay-off notice Friday at Queen Alexandra Centre for Children on Vancouver Island. The therapists are members of the Health Sciences Association of BC, the union that represents 16,000 health science professionals including autism intervention specialists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech language...

December 6 this year marks the 20th anniversary of the 1989 Montréal massacre of 14 young women at the École Polytechnique. Violence against women is still pervasive, and is rooted in social inequality. HSA members working in transition houses all across BC tell us that violence against women occurs at home and at work. Women living in violent situations often...

Following this afternoons budget cut announcement by Fraser Health Authority, HSA began to receive reports from members and stewards that local managers were attempting to engage individual departments and members in discussions to make staffing cut decisions in certain departments. HSA has advised Fraser Health Authority to halt the meetings, and to instead meet with the union to engage in...

November 6 marks the second annual Community Social Service Workers Appreciation Day, an event to acknowledge and celebrate the vital role that these workers play in making communities better places to live. Community social service workers represented by the Health Sciences Association work in child development centres, transition houses, infant development programs, community counselling centres, agencies for youths at risk...

Please join CUPE members and striking Ambulance Paramedics (CUPE 873) who will be holding a midday rally outside the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee headquarters in Vancouver. The B.C. Liberal government introduced -back-to-work" legislation against the Paramedics following an edict from VANOC directing them to end the strike. Date: Friday, November 6, 2009Time: 11:30 amPlace: VANOC HQ ... 3585 Graveley St...

There is still room available in the two-day OH&S Steward Training workshop on November 23 & 24, 2009 please register as soon as possible if you are interested in attending this workshop. OH&S Steward Training:November 23 & 24, 2009 Eligible stewards should print a pre-registration (attached) and return it to the HSA Office (Attention: Karin Herbert) as soon as possible...

Following the protocol issued by BCs Medical Health Officer, beginning next week health care workers will be offered vaccination against the H1N1 virus. This includes all HSA members who work with vulnerable populations. HSA encourages members to participate in the H1N1 vaccination program. When you receive your H1N1 vaccination, you will also be offered vaccination against seasonal flu. Members should...