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New collective agreement includes improvements to work/life balance, working conditions and benefits.
Edmonton (27 March 2018) — Members of Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA/NUPGE) employed by Alberta Health Services (AHS) have voted to ratify the tentative agreement that was reached on February 24.
HSAA/NUPGE negotiates improvements to collective agreement
HSAA/NUPGE members had prioritized improvements to benefits as well as to work/life balance and the bargaining committee was proud of the achievements gained in these areas. Additionally, significant improvements to working conditions and union language were successfully negotiated.
Highlights of this tentative agreement include 100% coverage of Continuous Postive Airway Pressure machines and changes to dental benefits in the final year of the contract that will provide significantly greater coverage. Significant work/life balance achievements were also negotiated that will provide members with greater flexibility in scheduling.
New wage talks in 2020, with arbitration process in case of impasse
HSAA/NUPGE members recognized the fiscal situation in which the province finds itself and agreed to accept no wage increases in the first 2 years of this contract (April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2019). However, they negotiated a wage reopener for the final year (April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020), with an arbitration procedure spelled out should those talks reach an impasse.
The term of the agreement is April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2020.
The tentative agreement is now subject to approval by the board of AHS, expected to meet on March 26 and 27.