Alberta Health Services Collective Agreement 2020-2024

LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING #18

BETWEEN

ALBERTA HEALTH SERVICES
(hereinafter referred to as the Employer)

- and -

HEALTH SCIENCES ASSOCIATION OF ALBERTA
(hereinafter referred to as the Union)

RE:  NORTHERN INCENTIVE PROGRAM

1. An Employee employed at a work Site between the fifty-fifth (55th) and fifty-seventh (57th) parallel will be eligible to receive a Remote Retention Allowance to an annual maximum of three thousand dollars ($3,000.00). The Remote Retention Allowance will be calculated on an hourly basis and paid per pay period for all Employer-paid hours at the Basic Rate of Pay, exclusive of overtime. Hours that are unpaid by the Employer, such as an unpaid leave of absence, STD, LTD or WCB will not be included in the calculation or payment of Remote Retention Allowance.

2. An Employee employed at a work Site above the fifty-seventh (57th) parallel will be eligible to receive a Northern Allowance to an annual maximum of six thousand three hundred dollars ($6,300.00). The Northern Allowance will be calculated on an hourly basis and paid per pay period for all Employer-paid hours at the Basic Rate of Pay, exclusive of overtime. Hours that are unpaid by the Employer, such as an unpaid leave of absence, STD, LTD or WCB will not be included in the calculation or payment of Northern Allowance.

3. An Employee employed at a work Site in the Municipality of Wood Buffalo will be eligible to receive a Fort McMurray Allowance to a maximum of twelve thousand four hundred and eighty dollars ($12,480.00). The Fort McMurray Allowance will be calculated on an hourly basis and paid per pay period for all Employer-paid hours at the Basic Rate of Pay, exclusive of overtime. Hours that are unpaid by the Employer, such as an unpaid leave of absence, STD, LTD or WCB will not be included in the calculation or payment of the Fort McMurray Allowance.

4. Permanent and Temporary, Full-time and Part-time Employees working in excess of one (1) full year at work Sites above the fifty-seventh (57th) parallel will also be eligible to receive a taxable, annual reimbursement of personal travel expenses up to a maximum of one thousand two hundred and thirty-five dollars ($1,235.00), per calendar year. Reimbursement shall be in accordance with Employer policy and procedure.

5. The Northern Incentive Program is considered taxable income. The Northern Incentive Program is not part of insurable income for benefit purposes, and shall not be considered pension-eligible earnings.

6. The Employer reserves the right to amend or terminate with ninety (90) days’ notice.