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Ratification vote scheduled Dec. 23 for agreement covering less than two years.
Edmonton (18 Dec. 2009) - The Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA/NUPGE) has negotiated a tentative agreement with the Stettler and District Ambulance Association (SDAA) containing wage increases of 30% over less than a two-year period (July 1, 2009 to March 31, 2011).
A ratification meeting is planned for Dec. 23 at the Stettler Hospital. Highlights of the agreement include the following:
- Overtime rates converted to two times the hourly rate from 1.5 times.
- On-call rates effective July 1, 2009, $2.20 per hour, increasing incrementally to $3.30 per hour effective March 31, 2011.
- Premium on-call pay (days off and weekends) $3.30 per hour effective July 1, 2009, rising incrementally to $4.50 per hour effective March 31, 2011.
- Vacation for casual employees ranging in percentage of regular earnings from 6% in year one of employment to 8% in years two to nine, to 10% in years 10 to 19 and 12% in years 20 and beyond.
- A Health Spending Account increase to $300 from $100 for regular casual employees.
- Holiday pay of two times the basic rate of pay for work on all named holidays.
- Duty incurred expenses changes include increases to per diem allowances for breakfast ($10), lunch between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. ($15) and dinner between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. ($20).
- Mileage increase to 52 cents per kilometre.
- Flexible Spending Account benefits of $2,500 effective Jan. 1, 2010, rising to $2,750 effective Jan. 1, 2011 (covering professional registration costs, continuing education, contributions to RRSP plans as chosen by the employee and eligible medical expenses not covered by employer benefit plans.)
- Wage Increases of 30% — retroactive to July 1, 2009.
- Wage increases totalling 30% as follows: 10% retroactive to July 1, 2009; 5% on Jan. 1, 2010; 5% on July 1, 2010; 5% on Jan. 1, 2011 and 5% on March 31, 2011.
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
More information:
• Complete details of proposed tentative agreement between HSAA and Stettler and District Ambulance Association (SDAA) -pdf