AUPE members at Youville Home ratify two-year collective agreement
ST. ALBERT – Members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees who work at the Youville Home continuing care facility have ratified a new two-year collective agreement.
The union’s 120 members at Youville Home (Grey Nuns) voted 100 per cent in favour of the new agreement, which includes wage increases totalling 9 per cent and additional monetary adjustments over the term of the agreement.
“The members were determined and, as a result, they have finally attained an agreement that reflects the economic realities currently facing many general support health-care workers,” said AUPE Staff Negotiator John Wevers, who led the Local 047/028 bargaining committee.
Members of AUPE Local 047/028 will see a 4 per cent wage increase retroactive to April 1, 2007, which will be followed by a 5 per cent increase effective April 1, 2008.
The 120 full, part-time and casual healthcare workers will also each receive two $750 retention bonuses, the first 30 days after formal ratification of the new agreement, and the second on April 1.
The two parties also agreed on a $250 pro-rated annual Flexible Health Benefit Spending Account.
Additional gains include an increase in shift differential payments to $1.75 per hour from $1.50, and an increase in the weekend premium of $1.50 from $1.10.
Language pertaining to a pension plan that would see the employer match upwards of a 4.5 per cent contribution by the employee is also included.
The new collective agreement will expire on March 31, 2009.
For additional information, contact:
John Wevers, Union Representative, AUPE, at: 780-930-3349 (office) or 780-232-9820 (cellular)
Scott Pattison, Communications Officer, AUPE, at: 780-930-3406 (office)