UNA Local 416 ratifies first collective agreement with Blood Tribe Department of Health Inc.

Nurses represented by UNA Local 416 have ratified a Memorandum of Understanding with the Blood Tribe Department of Health with the assistance of mediator Tom Hodges.

Both parties recommended acceptance of the MOU and members of UNA Local 416 held a ratification vote Sept. 12, 2012.

The three-year collective agreement, the first for nurses at this worksite, will introduce standardized shifts of 7.5 hours Community and Public Health nurses and 11.25 for nurse working in Continuing Care settings. The MOU also includes a $1,500 signing bonus in lieu of retroactivity on wages.

A staggered implementation introducing rates of pay matching Alberta Health Services Employees will begin on March 1, 2013, representing a 15.17-per-cent increase at Year One during the period from ratification to March 1, 2013.

A 15.12-per-cent increase will be introduced for Year Two; 15.10 per cent for Year Three; 14.41 per cent for Year Four; 13.37 per cent for Year Five; 15.14 per cent for Year Six; 15.16 per cent for Year Seven; 14.85 per cent for Year Eight; and a 13.16-per-cent increase for Year Nine, all over the period from ratification to March 1, 2013.

In addition to the Named Holidays listed in the UNA Provincial Collective Agreement, under the Leave of Absence provisions, Local 416 members will also receive a day off with pay for both National Aboriginal Day and Treaty Seven Day.

In addition to the AHS Special Leave provisions, members will be entitled to up to four Spiritual Leave Days with pay a year, including one day off to participate in the Sun Dance, and/or Okan. The employer will also agree to match the 2013 and 2014 rates of pay that UNA and AHS reach under the next Provincial Collective Agreement.

Nurses were represented at the bargaining table by Local 416 negotiating committee members Karen Three Persons, Che Scott, and Sandra Scout, and UNA Labour Relations Officer Martin D'Entremont.

The agreement at the Blood Tribe Department of Health was a first contract, achieved only after difficult bargaining thanks to the strength and solidarity of UNA members determined to achieve a collective agreement for Local 416 members.

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