For Immediate Release
March 23, 2018
HSAA members employed by Alberta Health Services (AHS) have voted to ratify the tentative agreement (TA) that was reached on Saturday, February 24.
Members had prioritized improvements to benefits as well as work/life balance and the HSAA bargaining committee was proud of the achievements gained in these areas. Additionally, significant improvements to working conditions and union language were successfully negotiated.
Highlights of this TA include 100% coverage of CPAP machines and changes to dental benefits in the final year of the contract that will provide significantly greater coverage. Significant work/life balance achievements were also negotiated that will provide members with greater flexibility in scheduling.
Members recognized the fiscal situation in which the province finds itself and agreed to accept no wage increases in the first two years of this contract (April 1, 2017-March 31, 2019). However, they also negotiated a wage reopener for the final year (April 1, 2019-March 31, 2020), with an arbitration procedure spelled out should those talks reach an impasse.
The term of the agreement is April 1, 2017 – March 31, 2020.
The tentative agreement is now subject to approval by the board of AHS, expected to meet on March 26 & 27.
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MEDIA CONTACTS: Mike Parker, HSAA president, 780-984-2154
