The United Nurses Union of Alberta (UNA), which represents 30,000 nurses, is calling for salary increases of 25% for the first year and 10% for the second year.
As Alberta Health Services collective bargaining agreement deadlines approach (AHS) and its employees, the unions representing them begin negotiations.
We ask [une augmentation de] 25% in the first year.
L'UNA believes a significant pay increase is needed to retain nurses in Alberta who are leaving the province's health care system to move to others, particularly Ontario or British Columbia, explains David Harriganthe union's industrial relations director.
He adds that his organization is requesting a two-year agreement. We want to deal with the immediate crisis, stabilize things and then we can talk about what we're going to do in the long term
he explains.
The offer fromAHS
For his part, AHS proposes a four-year agreement with increases of 2% for the first two years and 1.75% for the following two years.
This is an increase that is below inflation, the union denounces.
The spokesman forAHS, Kerry Williamsonreiterated that all demands of theUNA amounts to 1.6 billion dollars.
Asked about the salary demands of theUNAGovernment spokeswoman Savannah Johannsen reiterated that the negotiations are the responsibility ofAHS.
The event took place on March 5th, 6th and 7thUNA I will sit down with the employer again to negotiate.
L'AUPE begins negotiations
For other unions such as the Alberta Public Service Employees Union (AUPE), which represents general support services staffAHSThe talks began on February 22nd.
L'AUPE began negotiations by demanding a three-year contract and a salary increase of 13% for the first year and 6.5% for the following two years. The government, for its part, made the same offer asUNA, Offer which the AUPE refers to asoffensive
.
Regarding their caregivers, the suggestions are between theAUPE And AHS will be replaced on March 13th.
These two areas represent more than 42,000 employees.
The Alberta Health Sciences Association (HSAA), another union representing health care workers, confirmed that meetings with the employer were scheduled for mid-March, although details of the requests are also not yet public.
With information from Travis McEwan and Janet French
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