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B.C. health science professionals open talks March 17

'Our members want HSABC to negotiate a fair contract ... they are deeply committed to making sure British Columbians get the public health services they need.' - Reid Johnson.

Vancouver (15 Feb. 2010) - The Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) and Health Employers Association of B.C. (HEABC) will open contract talks on March 17. The current collective agreement expires March 31, 2010.

The Health Sciences Association of B.C. (HSABC/NUPGE) is the association's lead union, representing 16,000 health science professionals across the province.

Last fall, delegates to HSABC's bargaining proposal conference identified “protecting quality health care” as one of the top priorities for bargaining.

“That sends a strong message that our members want HSABC to negotiate a fair contract, and that they are deeply committed to making sure British Columbians get the public health services they need,” said HSABC president Reid Johnson.

HSABC’s representatives on the bargaining committee are:

  • Reid Johnson, president.
  • Maureen Headley, chief negotiator.
  • Val Avery, HSABC vice-president and Region 2 director, bargaining committee chair, physiotherapist at Victoria General Hospital.
  • Joan Magee, Region 8 director, medical laboratory technologist, employed at Cariboo Memorial Hospital.
  • Miriam Martin, resource coordinator, Positive Women’s Network.
  • Aaron Wilson, community coordinator, Centre for Ability.
  • Darwin Wren, social worker, Tumbler Ridge Health Centre.

Alternate committee members are:

  • Kimball Finigan, Region 5 director, radiation therapist, Vancouver Cancer Centre.
  • John Christopherson, social worker, Vancouver Cancer Centre.
  • Cheryl Greenhalgh, medical radiation technologist, Royal Columbian Hospital.

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE