Alberta Precision Laboratories Collective Agreement 2024-2028

LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING #32

BETWEEN

ALBERTA PRECISION LABORATORIES
(hereinafter referred to as the Employer)

- and -

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

RE:  MEDICAL LABORATORY ASSISTANT (MLA) I EQUIVALENCY

Recognizing that recruitment to MLA I positions by those who completed a recognized MLA program has been challenging for APL, the parties agree to the following to address the recruitment issues:

1. The following qualifications constitute equivalency to certification from a recognized MLA program:
   • Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT) and Combined Laboratory and Xray Technologist (CLXT) trained in Canada
   • Medical Lab Technician/Technologist trained outside of Canada
   • MLT and CLXT students that have completed their phlebotomy training/rotation
   • Internal APL Employees who have completed a combination of formal training and/or on-the-job experience directly related to the representative duties and job responsibilities in the MLA I job posting. 
2. New Employees will be placed at Step 1 of the MLA pay scale.
3.  
   1. If there are no certified or equivalent MLA candidates at the close of a posting, a combination of in-house phlebotomy training and completion of formal training courses from an acceptable formal post-secondary institute, as determined by the Employer, completed following hire into the MLA position will meet the definition of equivalent to MLA. 
   2. Cost of the courses is the responsibility of the new Employee.
   3. Employees hired after the date of ratification of the Collective Agreement, shall be placed at Step 1 of the MLA pay scale and shall remain at Step 1 until such time as the Employee completes the in-house training and the required formal MLA training courses. Such Employees are required to successfully complete all required training and courses within six (6) months of hire.
4. Nothing in point 2 above requires the Employer to hire an internal candidate who is not certified or equivalent. 
5. Benefits, as outlined in Article 25, will be available the first (1st) of the month following the three (3) month waiting period.
6. Flexible Spending Account will be available following the three (3) month waiting period and will be prorated based on the date of hire, and FTE in accordance with the calculation outlined on Letter of Understanding #6.

This Letter of Understanding will expire September 30, 2028, or upon the date of ratification of the next Collective Agreement, whichever is later.