Health science professionals plan continuation of rotating strikes

VANCOUVER, Dec. 6, 2012 /CNW/ - Health science professionals began rotating strikes today to put pressure on government to get serious about bargaining a new collective agreement with the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA).

Hospital pharmacists reduced services to essential services only. Starting at midnight tonight, health science professionals who deliver diagnostic imaging services will reduce their services to essential services only. This group of health science professionals scheduled to take job action are all medical imaging technologists -

the people who conduct x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, and other imaging procedures.

The union association advised today that it plans to continue the rotating strike action next week, reducing hospital lab services to essential services at midnight Sunday. There will be no picket lines.

"After nine months at the bargaining table, it took strike action and the involvement of mediator Vince Ready to get the government to come to the table and start to focus on getting to a new contract. We will continue to exert pressure to encourage government to work towards achieving an agreement," HSA President Reid Johnson said. HSA is the lead union in the bargaining association that represents about 17,000 health science professionals who provide clinical, diagnostic, and rehabilitation services in BC's hospitals and communities.

Other unions included in the union bargaining association are CUPE, BCGEU, Professional Employees' Association, and HEU.

SOURCE: Health Sciences Association of British Columbia

Miriam Sobrino, Communications: 604.439.0994 or 604.328.2886 or [email protected]