Alberta Health Services (AHS) and the United Nurses of Alberta (UNA) have come to terms on a negotiated settlement for a new collective agreement.
Finance Minister Nate Horner announced the agreement on March 10.
"I have tremendous respect for the unique role nurses have in the health and well-being of all Albertans," said Horner. "This proposed settlement recognizes their hard work and dedication and the value they bring to our health care system."
Horner noted that he was unable to speak to specifics of the agreement as it has yet to be ratified, but a release issued by the UNA notes that the tentative agreement will see registered nurses (RNs) and registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs) have an immediate 15 per cent increase and an overall increase of around 20 per cent.
The UNA release also notes that the four-year agreement also includes significant monetary improvements for charge pay, on-call pay, car allowances and an agreement that employers will pay all professional college registrations and liability insurance fees.
Additionally, the agreement commits to providing safe staffing levels and providing a review mechanism that can be triggered to resolve employee concerns.
As part of the tentative agreement, the union received a letter from Health Minister Adriana LaGrange confirming that Any RN or RPN job transfers that occur due to the ongoing restructuring of public health care will be to another provincial agency or health corporation that will preserve their seniority, contract benefits and UNA representation.
The union will hold a virtual meeting for local representatives on March 25 with the recommendation that members vote to ratify the new agreement.
A ratification vote could take place on April 2.
