Committees & Working Groups

Bargaining Committee Member

When a collective agreement (CA) is set to expire, HSAA forms a Bargaining Committee to negotiate the next CA. These committees are made up of HSAA members and supported by HSAA staff, including Labour Relations Officers (LROs) and Negotiators. 

Committees are active during bargaining and are dissolved after ratification. A new committee is formed each time a CA is approaching its end date. Eligible members will receive an Expression of Interest (EOI) when a committee is being formed. 

As a committee member, you will: 

• Represent the collective interests of members under your CA.
• Bring your workplace experience to help shape bargaining priorities and proposals.
• Participate directly in bargaining discussions alongside HSAA negotiators and LROs.
• Support communication between the committee and members.
• Help work toward the best possible CA for all members. 

Members are reimbursed for approved expenses and time spent attending meetings, according to HSAA policy. 

Dive Deeper: 

• Collective Bargaining FAQs
• Policy: Bargaining Committees
• Policy: Confidentiality - Board and Committee Members
• Policy: Additional Expenses for Representatives of HSAA

Standing Committee Member

Standing Committees are permanent committees of the Union, and are named in our Constitution. Each committee has a defined purpose and focuses on priority areas identified by members. They are: 

• Finance Committee
• Elections/Credentials Committee
• Constitution, Bylaws, Resolutions and Policy Committee
• Member Benefits Committee
• Workplace Health, Safety and Wellness Committee
• Members’ Appeals and Review Committee
• Discipline Committee 

All HSAA members are eligible to apply and will receive an Expression of Interest (EOI) when positions are open.  

Terms range from one to two years. Members may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms. After completing their terms, members can apply for a different committee or a Working Group. 

Committees meet in Calgary or Edmonton approximately five times per year, for one to two full days.  

Members receive a $250 annual honorarium and are reimbursed for approved expenses and time spent attending meetings, according to HSAA policy. 

Dive Deeper: 

• Committees & Working Groups page
• Constitution Article 44 - Standing Committees
• Policy: Board Committees
• Policy: Guidelines for Selection of Members-at-Large on Board Committees
• Policy: Confidentiality - Board and Committee Members
• Policy: Additional Expenses for Representatives of HSAA

Working Group Member

Working Groups are established to address specific priority areas identified by our membership. They have identified start and end dates and are disbanded after their scope of work has been completed. 

All HSAA members are eligible to apply and will receive an Expression of Interest (EOI) when positions are open.  

Terms depend on the established start and end dates of the working group, but are generally one year.  

Committees meet in Calgary or Edmonton for one to two full days. Frequency of meetings is determined in the Terms of Reference for that Working Group. 

Members are reimbursed for approved expenses and time spent attending meetings, according to policy. 

Dive Deeper: 

• Committees & Working Groups page
• Policy: Board Committees
• Policy: Guidelines for Selection of Members-at-Large on Board Committees
• Policy: Confidentiality - Board and Committee Members
• Policy: Additional Expenses for Representatives of HSAA

Other Committees & Working Groups

From time to time, there are opportunities to join other committees and working groups that arise to address specific issues, such as Rural Capacity Investment Fund Committees (tackling retention and recruitment challenges in hard-to-staff areas), Classification Review Working Groups, or Joint Committees that resolve issues of policy and practice matters within a bargaining unit. 

When these committees are formed, eligible members receive an Expression of Interest (EOI) with details about the committee’s purpose and how to apply.