Business Details
Your Trusted Healthcare Professionals Union in British Columbia
We are the union delivering modern health care across British Columbia, representing over 23,000 health science and social services professionals. Our members work in hospitals, community health settings, child development centers, and transition houses, providing specialized skills that form the backbone of contemporary healthcare delivery. Since our founding, we have advocated for better access, improved patient outcomes, and stronger public healthcare systems benefiting all British Columbians. Our experienced labor relations team negotiates collective agreements, handles classifications issues, and defends members' rights through legal proceedings when necessary.With staff who understand frontline healthcare challenges firsthand, we provide tailored support to members working under multiple collective agreements in both public and private sectors. Our commitment to innovation ensures members utilize the latest tools and techniques while maintaining our core focus on patient-centered care.
Services
Union Representation
Collective Bargaining
Member Benefits
Professional Development
Advocacy Programs
Highlights and features
- We represent over 23,000 healthcare professionals across British Columbia
- Our staff includes former healthcare workers with frontline experience
- We negotiate collective agreements covering multiple healthcare sectors
- Our patient-first approach prioritizes quality healthcare outcomes
- We offer professional development and workplace protection programs
Services
Union Representation
We provide comprehensive union representation for healthcare professionals across British Columbia. Our experienced labor relations officers negotiate contracts, resolve workplace disputes, and defend members' rights through formal grievance processes. With former healthcare workers on our team, we offer firsthand understanding of frontline challenges while maintaining strict adherence to collective agreements.
Collective Bargaining
Our skilled negotiators handle multiple collective agreements covering diverse healthcare sectors. We represent professionals in acute care, long-term facilities, and community agencies through structured bargaining processes. Our approach combines member input with strategic analysis to achieve fair compensation and improved working conditions while maintaining focus on patient care quality.
Professional Development
We offer funding programs for continuing education, scholarships, and specialized training opportunities. Our development initiatives help members maintain certification standards, acquire new skills, and advance careers within healthcare and social services fields. These programs specifically address the evolving needs of modern healthcare professionals.
Member Benefits
Our comprehensive benefits package includes pension planning, disability management, extended health coverage, and professional fee reimbursement programs. We administer these benefits directly to ensure members receive full value from negotiated agreements while providing personalized support for claims and eligibility questions.
Advocacy Programs
We actively promote public healthcare improvements through policy advocacy and government submissions. Our efforts focus on expanding access to care, improving patient outcomes, and strengthening British Columbia's healthcare infrastructure. This includes targeted campaigns addressing specific challenges faced by healthcare workers and the communities they serve.
People
Sarah Kooner
President
Sarah Kooner serves as HSA's president, bringing extensive experience as an infant development consultant at Fraser Valley CDC. She advocates for improved healthcare standards while representing members' interests across British Columbia's diverse healthcare landscape.
David Bieber
Director of Communications
David Bieber leads HSA's communications department, providing media relations expertise and strategic messaging. He manages public outreach initiatives while ensuring accurate representation of healthcare issues affecting the association's 23,000+ members.
David Ko
Labor Relations Officer
David Ko serves as a labor relations officer, supporting members with contract interpretation and workplace issues. His frontline healthcare experience informs practical solutions for professionals navigating complex employment situations across various healthcare settings.
Questions
How do I join the Health Sciences Association?
Contact your workplace steward or regional director to begin the membership process. Eligibility requires employment in recognized healthcare or social services roles covered by our collective agreements.
What services does HSA provide to members?
We offer contract negotiations, workplace grievance support, professional development funding, pension/retirement planning, and health benefits management for 23,000+ healthcare professionals.
What regions does HSA cover?
We operate province-wide across British Columbia, with regional directors and local stewards supporting members in all healthcare facilities and social service agencies under our jurisdiction.
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Reviews (1)
Ginger Rodriguez
Sep 23, 2019
Report
Union is powerless and seemingly uninterested in protecting its members. Employer regularly took work out of the bargaining unit and gave it to friends as contracts. New positions were arbitrarily invented that were the same as previous positions but now excluded. I was on leave for eight months before I was even told there was a disability management department. Do not expect support with regards to your collective agreement and definitely do not expect to access LTD if you get sick.
