Public Health Primary Care Alberta Transition Update

News

On May 15, the Government of Alberta issued a ministerial order regarding the transfer of unionized employees from Alberta Health Services (AHS) to Primary Care Alberta (PCA) related to public health transferring to the Ministry of Primary and Preventive Health Services. This order confirms that successorship will be followed as outlined in the legislation, and your current collective agreement will continue to apply.   

Your union can now confirm that nearly 600 positions will be transferred covering a wide range of classifications across the province. Impacted members will have received a communication this week from their employer and will receive a formal transfer notice by May 27. The first day for transferred staff will be July 1.  
 
This transfer notice does not include Public Health Inspectors as previously announced by the Government and we are awaiting further details on this transfer of HSAA members. 

HSAA was not engaged in the transfer process ahead of this announcement.  

HSAA negotiated a Letter of Understanding in 2024 for transfer of members to provincial health agencies.  

This LOU provides members with the ability to choose their employer during any transition based on the availability of vacant positions in the same classification and a variety of criteria. Previously, under the terms of your collective agreement and the transition legislation, there was no ability to choose in any circumstances.  

This agreement addresses many of the outstanding issues not covered by the transition legislation. Maintaining a single bargaining unit and one collective agreement will allow for:   

  • Seniority rights to apply when applying on positions with both employers.  
  • Members to hold multiple positions with both employers and maintain the benefits applicable to their cumulative employment status.  
  • All pre-approved vacation leaves and shift exchanges to be honored.  
  • Members anniversary dates and hours worked to continue to be applied toward their next increment increase.   

For any questions or concerns, please reach out to your LRO or our Member Resource Centre for any questions - 1-844-280 HSAA (4722)