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Members of the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) will vote next week on a tentative agreement that emerged after a third-party mediator recommended new terms.
The new tentative deal that the union is recommending to its members includes a number of terms that had already been agreed to by both sides in the contract dispute: a 12 per cent general wage increase across four years, improved benefits, a workload appeal process and market wage adjustments.
Newly-agreed to terms in the latest tentative deal include personal leave being based on the employee’s scheduled length of shift, and extending professional fee reimbursement to temporary employees.
In September, HSAA members voted to reject a tentative deal with Alberta Health Services. The union did not call a strike vote at the time.
Union president Mike Parker said the previous deal didn’t do enough to address growing complexities in health care, which include workers having to navigate an overburdened system and increasing rates of burnout.
Finance Minister Nate Horner said in a statement Friday that the fact a new tentative deal is going to a vote shows that both parties are committed to coming to a resolution.
“I continue to recognize the partnership between the two parties as a testament to the importance of our health-care professionals and the services they provide Albertans, and our health-care system,” the statement read.
“Importantly, I want to thank HSAA members including paramedics, physiotherapists, respiratory therapists and all the other dedicated front-line health-care workers that provide exceptional care to Albertans every day.”
The latest round of negotiations came on the heels of last month’s Alberta teachers’ strike, which ended in a controversial back-to-work order which saw the government invoke the notwithstanding clause, angering labour leaders.
Since then, the Alberta Federation of Labour which represents 26 unions, has said a general strike could be on the horizon.
The HSAA said it would not provide further comment until its members have voted.
CBC News has reached out to AHS for comment.
In a post on its website, the HSAA said it secured a letter of understanding, which “outlines a mechanism to identify compensation gaps and support the retention and recruitment of our specialized health-care professionals. This may result in additional compensation during the term of this collective agreement.”
The ratification vote will start on Nov. 20 at 9 a.m., and end on Nov. 25 at 4 p.m. Results will be released shortly after.
The HSAA will hold a series of townhalls before then, to review the mediator’s recommendations with its members.
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