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Joint News Release
HBA Services/United Nurses of Alberta
For Release May 5, 2005
United Nurses of Alberta and Alberta’s Health Regions agree to one-year contract extension with 3% wage increase
In an unprecedented agreement, the United Nurses of Alberta (UNA), Alberta’s Health Regions and several other health employers have voted to extend the current collective agreement between the parties for one year. The extension, which will be in effect from April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2007, provides a three per cent increase in wages for registered nurses covered by the agreement but otherwise leaves the collective agreement unchanged.
“Stabilizing and improving work settings is increasingly important to the retention of nurses in Alberta,” Heather Smith said. “This extension gives both parties an opportunity to address workplace issues, such as workload, and occupational health and safety.” On-going talks in a special joint committee between representatives from UNA and the health regions are continuing in an effort to work out problem areas including benefits and travel compensation.
Health regions agree that these ongoing talks are essential. “With the March 31, 2006 expiry, bargaining preparations would normally be commencing again in the next few months; however, there are still a number of interpretation and administrative issues outstanding from the recent settlement,” says Shannon Larkins, spokesperson for Alberta’s Health Regions. The extension will allow UNA and employers extra time to work through the outstanding issues.
“Nurses voted 95% in favour of the extension in the province-wide ratification ballot held yesterday.” Heather Smith added. “The vote also applied to other Employers involved in provincial negotiations who are participating in the extension.
These include: All Locals covered by the provincial agreement, including Health Regions, Caritas and other voluntary organizations Alberta Cancer Board, Bethany Care Society (Calgary and Cochrane), Bethany Group (Camrose), Capital Care CareWest, Colonel Belcher Millwoods, Shepherds Care St. Michael’s Lethbridge, St. Michael’s Edmonton, St. Joseph’s Edmonton, Youville Home St. Albert. One Employer, the Good Samaritan Society, has so far indicated they will not be joining in on the extension.”
The last provincial round of bargaining for these registered nurses concluded in 2004 with a three-year agreement that ran from April 1, 2003 to March 31, 2006. Approximately 23,000 registered nurses are covered by this collective agreement.
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