Alberta Precision Laboratories

LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING #27

 BETWEEN

ALBERTA PRECISION LABORATORIES
(hereinafter referred to as the Employer) 

AND

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

RE: RELOCATION REIMBURSEMENT

WHEREAS the parties agree that:

• There are significant operational and recruitment challenges in attracting Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLTs) and Combined Laboratory/ X-ray Technologists (CLXT) to the rural and suburban areas of the province; and
• Decisions made at the local level are more effective in meeting the needs of the Employer and potential Employee; and
• While APL develops an Employee Expense Relocation Directive (“Directive”), the rural areas may benefit by offering financial relocation assistance to attract new external and/or internal Employees.

In recognition of these factors, the following agreement is made between the parties on         a without prejudice and without precedent basis:

1. The Employer will establish an APL Employee Expense Relocation Directive.
2. In the interim and until such time as the Directive is established, the Employer may provide financial relocation assistance to successful internal or external candidates for eligible positions on initial recruitment. For internal candidates, relocation assistance may be provided when the Employee relocates more than 100 km from their current residence.
3. Positions which may be eligible for relocation assistance will be identified on the job posting and may include Regular or Temporary Full-Time or Part-Time positions with a minimum FTE of 0.5. Eligible temporary positions will be limited to those which are a minimum of twelve (12) months’ duration.
4. A one (1) year return service commitment shall be made by the successful candidate in exchange for the relocation assistance. The successful candidate will sign the Alberta Health Services Relocation Assistance Agreement - Return           of Service upon acceptance of the Letter of Offer.
5. Reimbursement for expenses paid in relation to a move shall be limited to those costs that would have been incurred if the move had been carried out in the most  practical and economical manner, in accordance with the Alberta Health Services Relocation Assistance Agreement - Return of Service. Receipts must be submitted  on an AHS Relocation Assistance Expense Claim within six (6) months from the effective date of hire.
6. A copy of the return service agreement shall be submitted by the Employer to the Union.

This Letter of Understanding will expire September 30, 2024, or upon the date of ratification of the next Collective Agreement, whichever is later.