Covenant Health Collective Agreement 2020-2024

Article 4: Recognition And Union Business

1. The Employer recognizes the Union as the exclusive bargaining agent for all Employees employed in the unit as defined by the certificate issued by the Labour Relations Board, and any amendments thereto. Sites covered by the Certificate are listed in Appendix A.

2. No Employee shall be required or permitted to make any written or verbal agreement which may be in conflict with the terms of this Collective Agreement.

3. Except as otherwise specified elsewhere in this Collective Agreement, all correspondence between the Parties arising out of this Collective Agreement or incidental thereto shall pass to and from the Employer and the Union.

4. An Employee shall not engage in Union business during their working hours without prior permission of the Employer.

5. Any duly accredited Officer employed by the Union may be permitted on the Employer’s premises for the purpose of transacting Union business provided prior permission to do so has been granted by the Employer.

6. A representative of the Union shall have the right to make a presentation of up to forty-five (45) minutes during the probationary period or at the orientation of new Employees with respect to the structure of the Union, as well as the rights, responsibilities and benefits under the Collective Agreement, provided, however, that attendance at the presentation shall not be compulsory and, further, that a representative of the Employer may be present at such presentation. The Employer shall notify the Union two (2) weeks in advance of the orientation where practicable. Where the representative of the Union is a Steward or Local Unit Representative there shall be no loss of pay for time spent at the presentation.

7. The name of Steward(s) and Local Unit Representatives shall be supplied in writing to the Employer before they are recognized as a Union representative. A representative of the Union shall be entitled to leave work to carry out their functions as provided in this Collective Agreement, provided permission to leave work during working hours, and agreement on the length of time of such leave, shall first be obtained from the supervisor. Such permission shall not be unreasonably withheld. Representatives shall suffer no loss of pay for time spent on the Employer’s premises in performing such duties.

8. Stewards

   1. The name of a Steward shall be supplied to the Employer before they are recognized as a Steward.  Upon request of the Employer, the Union shall provide a list of all Stewards.

   2. Stewards shall be granted time off with pay in order to participate in meetings called by the Employer as per Article 4.08(d). 

   3. Steward training and related workshops, seminars, and schools as determined by the Union will be paid as per Article 4.09.

   4. The Steward shall be allowed reasonable time while on duty without loss of pay to perform their duties.  Steward duties may include but are not limited to:

      1. Accompanying an Employee at an investigation or outcome meeting called by the Employer where disciplinary action is possible.

      2. Attending grievance meetings with the Employer.  

      3. Meeting with new Employees consistent with Article 4.06. 

      4. Attendance at EMAC or labour/management meetings.

   5. It is the sole responsibility of the Union to arrange the attendance of a Steward for 4.08 (d) (i) and (ii) above.

   6. Stewards who attend EMAC or labour/management meetings outside of their scheduled work hours shall be paid at the applicable rate of pay for time spent at such meetings. Such pay shall be in accordance with Article 4.09.

   7. A Steward shall obtain permission from their supervisor to leave work and agreement on the length of time of such leave. Such permission shall be requested with as much advance notice as possible and shall not be unreasonably denied.

9. Subject to operational requirements, time off granted in accordance with Articles 33.08 and 4.08, shall be with pay, and the Union agrees to reimburse the Employer for the total cost of the absence plus a fifteen percent (15%) administration fee.

10. No persons, other than members of the bargaining unit, shall perform bargaining unit work, except for the purposes of instruction, skills maintenance, or in an emergency, and provided it does not reduce the hours of work or pay for any bargaining unit Employee.

Appendix A

Covenant Health Sites covered in this Collective Agreement

Banff Mineral Springs Hospital
Bonnyville Health Centre (Technical Employees only)
Edmonton General EGCCC
Grey Nuns Community Hospital
Holy Cross Manor – Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technicians only
Killam Health Centre
Mary Immaculate Care Centre
Misericordia Community Hospital 
Villa Caritas
Our Lady of the Rosary Hospital
St. Joseph's General Hospital
St. Joseph’s Auxiliary Hospital
St. Mary's Health Care Centre
St. Mary's Hospital
St. Michael's Health Centre
Youville Home
Geriatric Mental Health Clinics