UNA Local 420 ratifies first contract with South Country Village

After eight months of negotiations, a first collective agreement has been ratified by members of United Nurses of Alberta Local 420 employed at the Sunnyside facility owned by South Country Village in Medicine Hat.

Local 420 was formed shortly after Registered Nurses at Sunnyside voted to join UNA in late 2015. At that time, the employer provided voluntary recognition of UNA’s representation of the Licensed Practical Nurses at this worksite, allowing them to be included in these negotiations.

Some of the features of the new contract, which will expire in September 2018, include:

• the portability of seniority for Registered Nurses.
• a salary grid equal to UNA/AHS for RNs, equal to AUPE/AHS for LPNs.
• three professional development days per year per employee.
• a reimbursement of $150 for CARNA or CLPNA fees.
• the creation of a Joint Employer-Union Professional Responsibility Committee to address employee concerns regarding resident care.
• the normal cost sharing of benefits for 12 weeks past health related portion of maternity leave.
• the ability of employees to request to increase or decrease to Full-Time Employment which cannot be unreasonably denied.
• an education allowance of $1.25 for Baccelaureate holders retroactive to September 2015.
• a Lump Sum payment of $1,000 (prorated for part time and casual).

UNA provides a wide range of services to its members. A key role is negotiating the excellent collective agreements that regulate salaries, benefits, schedules and working conditions of members. UNA also administers its agreements to resolve disputes, improve working conditions and protect nurses’ workplace rights.