Covenant Health Agreement Implementation FAQ

Bargaining updates

The new agreement is in effect as of Dec. 16, 2025, and covers the period of Apr. 1, 2024, to Mar. 31, 2028.

This article was updated on:

  • Jan. 8, 2026 - Date confirmed for Banff EMS Vacation Percentage Increases
  • Jan. 14, 2026 - Date added for former employees retro payment.
  • Jan. 16, 2026 - Additional details added for long-service pay adjustments.
  • Jan. 27, 2026 -  New Health and Dental enrollment dates; Additional details on retro pay for former employees.

We know you have questions! Here are some answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the agreement:

Retroactive Pay Coming Jan. 21

Members will receive their retroactive pay deposit on Jan. 21, 2026.

Retroactive Pay for Former Employees

Former employees must contact the employer to receive any retroactive payment for increases. The employer will not contact them.

Former employees* whose employment terminated between Apr. 1, 2024, to Dec. 15, 2025, may submit a written request for the retroactive payment of any increases they would have received but for the termination of employment. Requests must be received by Mar. 16, 2026; 90 days from ratification. To submit a request:

1. Email HRBusinessSupport@covenanthealth.ca, or
2. Mail to:

HR Business Support & System Solutions
Covenant Health
One Twelve Campus – North Tower
10130 – 112 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2K4

All written requests for retroactive increases should include the following information:

  • HSAA Retro (Article 1.03) as the email subject line
  • Employee legal first and last name;
  • Employee number;
  • Termination date;
  • Phone number (in case there is need for a follow up call)
  • Banking information (if it has changed since employment terminated; otherwise, payment will be direct deposited to the bank account on file with Covenant Health)

If your mailing address has changed or your banking information needs to be updated, email HRBusinessSupport@CovenantHealth.ca.

The date former employees will receive their retro payment is April 29. This will includes GWI, LSPA, market adjustments and retro for employees whose employment was terminated between April 1, 2024 to Dec. 15, 2025. Wage grids were finalized in ePeople on Jan. 12, so anyone who was terminated between Dec. 16, 2025 and Jan. 11, 2025 will need to submit a retro request (outlined above).

How Retroactive Wages Affect WCB Benefits

WCB does not provide a top-up or adjust your benefits if you receive retroactive pay. Your WCB benefits are based on your actual earnings on the date of your accident and are not adjusted based on a new agreement. WCB will not change your benefit rate, and your employer does not need to report retroactive pay to WCB for recalculating benefits.

If WCB is paying you directly, there will be no additional top-up. Your benefits remain based on your earnings at the time of the accident, and no retroactive adjustments are made.

However, if your employer is continuing to top up your earnings while you are on WCB leave, your pay may be adjusted so it matches your regular rate based on the new agreement. In this case, any top-up or retroactive increase comes directly from your employer based on the top up amounts, not WCB.

When New Benefits Take Effect

While most improvements come into effect immediately, others have set start dates:

  • New market adjustments and wage steps for specific professions identified in the agreement will take effect immediately, as will the two per cent long-service pay for members with 20 or more years of service.
    • See 'new wage grids' below for details on pay for Long Service Pay and Market Adjustments.
  • Preceptor pay, increased on-call premiums, and higher travel reimbursement rates will take effect immediately.
    • Preceptor pay coding became available to code as of Dec. 29, 2025. If there was a preceptor in action before then, it will take 2-3 pay periods for their retro to be paid. Preceptor pay is effective date of ratification (Dec. 16) and is not retroactive prior to this date.
    • On-Call pay will be reflected in the payroll system on Jan. 29, 2025. If there is on-call pay owed before then, it will take 2-3 pay periods for the retro to be paid.
    • Mileage and meal allowances reflected in the payroll system is still TBD by the employer.
  • Improved coverage for Continuous Glucose Monitoring begins Mar. 1, 2026.
  • All other benefit improvements, including expanded massage therapy and dental coverage, begin Mar. 1, 2026.
  • Employees who are not currently enrolled in the Health and Dental will receive an email inviting them to enroll on January 28th, 2026.  The  open enrollment period will run from February 9-22nd, 2026. The deadline to enroll is Feb. 22, 2026.
  • EMS Automatic Trial Progression begins immediately. EMS members have until Feb. 13, 2026, to notify their employer of their classification change to take advantage of this improved language. We encourage members who recently changed classification to contact their manager immediately.

Professional Fees Reimbursement

Members are now eligible for $504 in professional fee reimbursements. The employer is still confirming the process for submitting receipts for reimbursement. Members are encouraged to contact their employer for further information on the reimbursement process. The employer confirmed that as long as the deadline to renew falls after the ratification, the employer will reimburse those who happened to pay early.

Job Classification Reviews and Closing Compensation Gaps

One of the most important outcomes of this agreement is securing two new Letters of Understanding (LOUs).  

The first allows HSAA to work with Covenant Health to identify market adjustments needed for retention and recruitment. This may result in additional market adjustments during the term of the agreement.

The second allows HSAA to work with Covenant Health to review classifications for occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, kinesiologists and exercise specialists. The parties committed to first seek to join and participate with the joint working group established under the AHS Letter of Understanding or alternatively agree to meet upon completion of the review to discuss outcomes and applicability of their findings to the same classifications at Covenant Health.

In the coming months, we will be consulting with our members to bring classification and market adjustments forward to the employer. 

Rural Capacity Investment Fund

Details on next steps for the $3.684 million Rural Capacity Investment Fund (RCIF) jointly administered by HSAA and your employer will be available early in 2026. The process to establish the committee will begins on Jan. 9, 2026.

New Wage Grids

Employees will be able to see their new wage rate and all the history related to retro in E-People as of Jan. 18/19, 2026.

The Long Service Pay adjustment will be applied automatically on the Jan. 21, 2026 paycheck. Employees should review their basic rate of pay on their January 21 paycheck. If you have any questions on reading your pay advice or believe the Long Service Pay Adjustment (LSPA) had not been added, contact the Covenant HR Contact Centre. If needed, a review will be done and corrections made as necessary.

All retro pay for Wage Grids, Long Service Pay and Market Adjustments will be applied to the Jan. 21, 2026 pay day for eligible employees.

Banff EMS Casual Vacation Percentage Increases

Casual Banff EMS employees will receive a lump sum reflecting their increased percentages. The employer anticipates the new accrual will be active by early February. Staff will see their new accrual rate and retro on their Feb. 18 paycheck.

Auto Progressions Banff EMS

The Employer is currently developing the process to complete this. While a confirmed timeline is not yet available, the Employer has confirmed that all retroactive adjustments will be applied from Dec. 16, 2025, once the transition is complete. This FAQ will be updated as soon as timelines are confirmed.