Why Join HSAA

Unionized health-care workers in Alberta make on average 14% more in wages than workers in the same field who don’t have a union.  

Your union contract means you will have clear rules for employment. This means you can’t be fired without just cause. Your union is always there to help protect your rights in the workplace.  

Through negotiations, union members can get better scheduling, hours of work, more breaks, recognized holiday, vacation and protected leave. 

With a union, your rights are outlined in agreement that must be followed by law. You have the support of union representatives, and a clear process to deal with workplace issues. 

Fact: Unions do not stop employers from firing workers who cannot do their job or who repeatedly break workplace rules. What unions do is make sure discipline and dismissal are handled fairly and consistently.

A union helps ensure that workers are not fired unfairly or without a valid reason. Union contracts create clear rules and procedures that protect good employees from unfair treatment.

Unions also help improve workplace safety and make sure workers get proper breaks and reasonable hours. These protections help keep both workers and the public safe.

Fact: Workers are the union. A union is made up of working people who join together to improve their jobs and workplaces. Union members vote on priorities, elect leaders and work together to solve workplace issues.

Fact: Unions often help improve communication and create clear rules. A union contract gives workers and employers a fair process to deal with workplace concerns in a consistent and professional way.

Fact: Union dues pay for services that support members, such as bargaining contracts, workplace representation, training and member support. Members vote on dues and unions are not-for-profit organizations. In most cases, workers gain far more in wages, benefits and protections than they pay in dues.

Fact: Union dues are an investment in better wages, benefits, protections and workplace support. Dues also help fund contract negotiations, workplace representation, training, safety programs and legal support. Union finances are reported openly, and members have the right to see how their dues are used.

With HSAA, members pay a small percentage (1.4%) of earnings and members have a say in whether dues go up or down. 

Fact: Unions are one of the most effective ways for workers to improve pay, benefits, and workplace conditions. Union contracts help protect workers from unfair treatment and create clear, enforceable standards.

Fact: Unions focus mainly on representing workers in the workplace. When HSAA speaks about public policy, it is on issues that directly impact health care, health-care workers or labour rights in Alberta; or, on an issue that members have, through voting, said they want HSAA to work on. 

HSAA supports issues and leaders — regardless of political party — who support health care, health-care workers, workers in Alberta (we all have family!), job safety and fair labour standards.

Fact: Strikes are uncommon and are decided by a vote of the members. Most HSAA agreements are settled through negotiations without a strike or work stoppage.

HSAA represents allied health and support workers across Alberta.

If you and your co-workers want to unionize, it must be done together as a group. Individual workers cannot join on their own. 

HSAA organizes workers in public and private settings, such as: 

• Hospitals
• Emergency Services
• Primary Care Networks
• Private Clinics
• Diagnostic Imaging Centres
• Community Health Services

Contact an organizer to see how you can start unionizing today!

A union is a group of workers who come together to act as one team, making them stronger to negotiate with their boss for better pay, job security, benefits and so much more. 

Unions create a balance of power between workers and their bosses. Instead of fighting for something alone, workers stand together – which often makes an employer listen, rather than tuning out one person. 

If the organizing drive is successful, and workers vote to join HSAA – all members pay tax deductible dues to their Union 

HSAA members contribute 1.4% of their earnings on a monthly basis. These dues go towards union representation, bargaining your collective agreement – which leads to higher wages, increased benefits, protected time off and so much more. 

Workers do not start paying dues right away. You, with the support of HSAA expert negotiators, will go through the bargaining process with your employer first. Once you have signed your first contract (yay!) your dues will kick in. 

Protect "Poor Performers": Unions ensure a fair process, but they do not prevent an employer from disciplining or firing someone who regularly falls short of work standards.

Strike Anytime: Strikes are only allowed during the bargaining period after specific legal steps are met - including a vote from the members.

Guarantee Job Security: HSAA will protect you against unfair firing, they cannot prevent layoffs due to legitimate closures, bankruptcies, etc.

Guarantee Specific Raises: HSAA fights hard to negotiate and get you the best raise possible. 

Discriminate: Unions are not allowed by law to discriminate.