CALGARY – A mediator has recommended terms of a settlement for members of AUPE Local 055, which represents general support services and auxiliary nursing employees at the Foothills and Alberta Children’s hospitals in Calgary.

Before the mediator made his recommendations, the Local 055 Bargaining Committee met with the Calgary Health Region negotiations team for 12 days of bargaining plus four days of mediation.

On the final day of mediation, Jan. 6, 2002, Mediator Dale Simpson decided that he would write recommended terms of settlement.

The following represents a brief summary of the highlights of the mediator’s recommendations:

• Four-per-cent increase effective April 1, 2002, for all classifications except Housekeeping and Dietary.
  
• Three-per-cent increase effective April 1, 2003, for all classifications except Housekeeping and Dietary.
  
• Wage re-opener in the third year for all classifications except Housekeeping and Dietary.
  
• Market adjustments for the clerical group.
  
• Market adjustment, via a Letter of Understanding, for transcriptionists.
  
• Renewal of the Letter of Understanding for the Power Plant Operator's market adjustment.
  
• One-per-cent lump-sum payment for each of three years off the grid for Housekeeping and Dietary classifications.
  
• Guarantee of job security for Housekeeping and Dietary classifications to March 31, 2005 (no contracting out).
  
• Increase in overtime rates to double time (2x) for all hours.
  
• Increase in shift differential to $1.75 per hour.
  
• Increase in weekend premium to $1.75 per hour – phased in for the GSS classifications with additional $.30 cents effective upon ratification and $.35 cents effective June 1, 2003.
  
• Increase in on-call pay for auxiliary nursing (FMC) to $2.25 and $3.25 per hour.
  
• Addition of preceptor pay for LPN's (FMC) of $.65 cents per hour.
  
• Part-time employees to accrue sick leave based on hours worked.

These recommendations are being presented to Local 055 members at the Foothills and Alberta Children’s hospitals in their entirety for consideration.

All Local 055 members should feel free to ask any questions. Members will be voting on whether to accept or reject the mediator's report on:

• Thursday, Jan. 16, 2003, at the Alberta Children’s Hospital.
  
• Friday, Jan. 17, 2003 at the Foothills Hospital.
  Locations for the votes, which have not yet been confirmed, will be posted on bulletin boards and the AUPE Web site.

The Local 055 Bargaining Committee consists of:
Reynold Morgan, Hazel Finney and Gerry Raby – Foothills Hospital
Lynn Bachura, Rob Powers and Michelle Drennin – Alberta Children’s Hospital
Karen Thibault – AUPE Staff negotiator