In a pivotal meeting held in Calgary, over 500 delegates from the United Nurses of Alberta (UNA) have decisively chosen to forward a Mediator’s recommended agreement to their members for approval. This crucial recommendation, backed by intense discussions, involves Alberta Health Services, Recovery Alberta, Covenant Health, and other employers.

“Our assembly has spoken, and it is imperative that every affected member has a say in this agreement,” expressed UNA President Heather Smith after the meeting concluded.

Mark your calendars: the online ratification vote is scheduled for October 30. For the agreement to be ratified, it will require the approval of a majority of participating members as well as a majority from UNA locals.

The recommended settlement, delivered on Wednesday night, includes notable pay increases ranging from 12% to 22% over a four-year period. In addition, several important pay premiums will see substantial boosts, such as: - On-call pay rising to $7/hour - Responsibility allowance increasing by $3.50/hour - Preceptor pay enhanced by $2/hour

If accepted, this agreement would elevate UNA members back to the highest-paid Registered Nurses (RNs) and Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs) across Canada, with the proposed agreement running from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2028.

Moreover, employers have pledged a significant increase in the Rural Capacity Investment Fund, boosting it from $7.5 million annually to a whopping $22.5 million. The distribution of these funds will be a collaborative effort between the union and the employers, aimed at tackling the pressing issues of nurse retention and recruitment in rural Alberta.

A full copy of the Mediator’s report will be readily accessible to all UNA members affiliated with Alberta Health Services, Recovery Alberta, Covenant Health, Lamont Health Care Centre, and The Bethany Group (Camrose).

Negotiations have been underway since February, with both union and employer representatives actively collaborating through September and October to reach this momentous point.

The UNA proudly represents more than 30,000 RNs, RPNs, and allied health care workers throughout Alberta. Will this agreement mark a new era for nurses in Alberta? Stay tuned for the upcoming vote—it could change the landscape of nursing in the province forever!