November 9 2007
Drug costs a hardship: Alberta Pharmacare hearings
The Canadian Health Coalition’s national Pharmacare hearings came to Alberta at the end of October. Nurses, doctors, social workers and many citizens presented case after case of hardship caused by rising drug costs and inadequate provision of prescription pharmaceuticals. The Health Coalition is still accepting submissions through their website: www.healthcoalition.ca.
AGM celebrates 30 years
Hundreds of UNA members joined together to celebrate their Union’s 30th Anniversary at the AGM in Edmonton in October. Along with the celebrations, the delegates voted for new processes to help UNA’s Locals adapt to the new larger bargaining units that had been imposed by the provincial government. There were no provincial Executive Officer elections. 1st Vice-President Bev Dick and 2nd Vice-President Jane Sustrik were acclaimed. Two new members were elected to the provincial Executive Board. Both JoAnne Rhodes and Daphne Wallace were elected to represent the Calgary area South Central District.
Former employees have 90 days to get retro
The Provincial Collective Agreements were officially signed on November 3, which officially sets off the deadline clock for former employees who are looking for back pay on the salary increases. They have up to 90 days (to Jan. 31, 2008) to make written application for their back pay. Employees who left after March 31 are eligible for retroactive pay (back pay) on the increases in salary and premiums for shifts they worked after March 31. This includes a pro-rated portion of the $750 first installment of the Market Condition Lump Sum payment.
Pharmacare promise doesn’t save Saskatchewan NDP
Hopes for the beginnings of a new era for medicare were dashed when the Saskatchewan election turfed out the long-standing NDP government. Premier Lorne Calvert had promised to bring in a full Pharmacare plan providing prescription drug coverage for every citizen. Mike McBane of the Canadian Health Coalition had high hopes that Saskatchewan would again be the birthplace of a national health program.
Support for volunteer caregivers
The estimated three million Canadians who provide care to family and friends will soon have access to a web portal containing information on providing care, respite supports, financial advice, discussion boards and a Caregiver Electronic Record which will connect caregivers to home and community care sectors. It is a collaboration of Canadian Health Infoway and VON Canada.
Alberta attracts most health workers
A new report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information shows that between 1996 and 2001, the province of Alberta attracted more health care workers than any other province or territory in Canada. Alberta surpassed B.C. as the number one destination for the first time in 10 years. In addition to Alberta and B.C., Ontario and Prince Edward Island were the only other two provinces that attracted more health care workers than they lost over that five-year span.
Pushing a new P3 hospital for Grande Prairie
Peace Country Health Region says that the provincial Health and Infrastructure departments are pushing to have the new Grande Prairie hospital built as a P3 (Public-Private Partnership) project. It would be the first such P3 hospital in Alberta.
Marvin Moore, the chair of the Health Region said the provincial government is pushing the P3 plan and the Region will have no say in the decision on ownership of the hospital.
Hit your 20th year nursing mark… get the 2% Retention increase
Nurses under most UNA Collective Agreements get a 2% raise when they have nursed for 20 years. The 2% is added to the wage rate and forms part of your basic rate of pay. Reasonable proof of 20 calendar years of nursing service must be submitted to the Employer in order to receive the 2% retention recognition payment. The deadline for retroactivity on the 2% passed in October. But all nurses who hit the 20-year mark should submit proof for their increase on future cheques.
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