Auxiliary Nursing employees at St. Michael’s Health Care Centre ratify four-year deal
LETHBRIDGE – Alberta Union of Provincial Employees members employed by St. Michaels Health Care Centre ratified a new four-year agreement yesterday with substantial wage and benefit improvements.
The new agreement mostly mirrors the mediated Multi-Employer/AUPE Auxiliary Nursing Care agreement ratified in August. AUPE Staff Negotiator Dale Perry praised the employer for recognizing the context of that agreement.
“Given that this is a private employer, we were happy with the employer’s approach to staying competitive with wages negotiated for direct employees of Alberta’s health boards,” said Perry.
The agreement between St. Michael’s and AUPE Local 048/015 gives the approximately 160 ANC personnel employed by St. Michael’s a general pay increase of 5 per cent in the first year, 5 per cent in the second year, 4.5 per cent or the Alberta Average Weekly Earnings (whichever is higher) in the third year, and 4.5 per cent or the Alberta Average Weekly Earnings (whichever is higher) in the fourth year.
In addition, all ANC employees will receive a market adjustment in the first year of the agreement, which will deliver a total first-year pay increase of at least 11 per cent. The agreement also includes substantial improvements to benefits.
The agreement was ratified yesterday at a vote in Lethbridge.
Other highlights of the agreement include:
- Addition of two “Super stat” holidays for Christmas and Good Friday
- $500 health spending account
- Dental coverage improved to maximum benefit of $2500
- Bereavement leave improved to include extended family and 5 days leave
- Preceptor pay for Personal Care Attendants
- Licensing fee reimbursement for Licensed Practical Nurses increased to $100
- Three professional development days for Licensed Practical Nurses
“Thanks to this agreement St. Michael’s auxiliary nursing employees will now have parity with their counterparts in the public health sector. Both the employer and the union saw that this agreement was needed to keep existing staff and recruit new employees in a competitive labour market,” Perry said.
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For more information contact:
Dale Perry, Staff Negotiator, AUPE, 780-930-3347 (office), 780-238-8697 (cellular)
David Climenhaga, Communications Director, AUPE, 780-930-3311 (office), 780-717-2943 (cellular)
AUPE Offices can be reached by calling toll free – 1-800-232-7284