HSAA was organized in 1971-72 by eleven paramedical technical associations/societies when it became evident that some form of unionization was imminent. The paramedicals were reluctant to become a minority group within one of the large, existing labour unions because they felt that with their particular training, certification and professional ethics they did not have a community of interest with other health-care workers. Therefore, they doubted that they could be well and truly represented by the unions which were then acting on behalf of other groups. For this reason, the paramedicals desired to establish an independent union which would be subject to their control and direction. In 1972, a group of paramedical technical employees at the Misericordia Hospital in Edmonton became the first bargaining unit represented by HSAA. The Canadian Red Cross was the first non-hospital bargaining unit, certified in 1974.

HSAA was organized in 1971-72 by eleven paramedical technical associations/societies when it became evident that some form of unionization was imminent. The paramedicals were reluctant to become a minority group within one of the large, existing labour unions because they felt that with their particular training, certification and professional ethics they did not have a community of interest with other health-care workers. Therefore, they doubted that they could be well and truly represented by the unions which were then acting on behalf of other groups. For this reason, the paramedicals desired to establish an independent union which would be subject to their control and direction. In 1972, a group of paramedical technical employees at the Misericordia Hospital in Edmonton became the first bargaining unit represented by HSAA. The Canadian Red Cross was the first non-hospital bargaining unit, certified in 1974. more... See more text