Wheatland & Adjacent Districts Emergency Medical Services Association Collective Agreement 2018-2023

LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING #4

BETWEEN

WHEATLAND AND ADJACENT DISTRICTS EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ASSOCIATION

-and-

HEALTH SCIENCES ASSOCIATION OF ALBERTA

RE: PROVISION OF EFAP AND CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS MANAGEMENT (CISM)
 

Whereas the parties have a shared concern for the health and welfare of members of the bargaining unit and recognizing the need to ensure resources are available to maintain that health and welfare:

And whereas the parties recognize that employees in the bargaining unit are more susceptible to mental illness than the population at large:

It is agreed that it is necessary to establish a working committee to investigate what resources can be provided to members to ensure the maintenance of good mental health.

The terms of reference of the committee will be established at the first meeting of the committee which will take place not more than 60 days after the ratification of this agreement. The initial committee, which may be expended under the terms of reference, will consist of at least two representatives from management, two representatives from the Union and the Labour Relations Officer responsible for the bargaining unit.

The committee will have particular reference to the Canadian Standard for Mental Health (2013) in order to establish the most effective method of providing critical incident stress management and the establishment of an Employee Assistance Program.

The committee shall have specific, but not exclusive regard to:

i.  Training of members in CISM.

ii. Use of outside resources.

iii. Maintaining training of members in CISM.

iv. Education of all members of the bargaining unit and management in the resources available arising from the work of the committee. 

v. Steps to be taken in restoring employees to work after an absence.

Such other matters which appear relevant.