HSAA- AHS Bargaining Update #5

TO:

All HSAA Members employed by Alberta Health Services (AHS)

FROM:

Your AHS Bargaining Team

RE:

AHS Bargaining Update #5

Hi EDMO,

Your bargaining team met with AHS for negotiations on April 30, May 1, and May 2. We are pleased to report that the tone of the negotiations has been respectful, and there has been a significant improvement in both the pace of bargaining and the ability to sign-off articles. 

We expressed concern over the employer’s negotiation approach in our last update. We came prepared to make progress on non-monetary items and were successful in coming to agreements with the employer at a pace we feel is appropriate for the stage of the bargaining process we are in. Over this set of dates, we were able to sign off on numerous articles and established a good pace on negotiating non-monetary items that are either not contentious or where our differences can be resolved.  

Focusing on non-monetary items at the start of negotiations is part of our bargaining strategy. It will provide us with the best opportunity to get a fair deal for all the disciplines of HSAA represented in this Collective Agreement. By starting with the items where consensus with the employer can be easily reached and working our way to the areas that are most complicated or where there is the most significant disagreement, we ensure that those inevitable conflicts do not prevent us from securing gains in other areas. These non-monetary items are essential and critical to achieving the mandate you have set for us. We will be working to maintain this respectful dialogue as long as we can, but we are prepared for this to change once we reach the deeper issues impacting our workplaces and compensation. When the time comes, we will be ready to shift our tone and approach to ensure we achieve the best deal possible. 

We have more dates coming up right away on May 14, 15 and 16, and we are optimistic we can keep the pace of this last round.   

We want to express our deep appreciation for all the members who are sharing feedback and who have participated in the bargaining survey. Your input is invaluable and plays a crucial role in shaping our bargaining strategy. Every email and piece of feedback we receive is read, discussed and replied to. We are your bargaining committee, and we want the employer to hear what every article and Letter of Understanding means to you and how our proposals would make a difference for you. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to email us or share your thoughts and perspectives in the bargaining survey, it empowers us to achieve the mandate that you have set for us.   

We are keeping up our pace and commitment to reach a deal. We will be back in bargaining again very soon and, as always, we will provide you with an update as soon as we can. If you have any questions about our Union's approach to bargaining, you can access the FAQ page here. For further questions or feedback, please email ahsbargaining@hsaa.ca. 

In solidarity,

Your AHS Bargaining Team

Megan Connolly, Social Worker, Calgary (Chair)

Sarah Dorma, Social Worker, Calgary

Dean Rombough, Public Health Inspector, Edmonton

Jason Soklofske, Advanced Care Paramedic, Medicine Hat (South)

Vicki Wakulchyk, Addictions Counsellor, Calgary

Sarah Mullin, Social Worker, Red Deer (Central)

Kelly Sherwood, Advanced Care Paramedic, Edmonton

Chandra Arsenault, Respiratory Therapist, Edmonton

Brittany Fandrick, Dental Hygienist, Westlock (North)

Todd Romanow, HSAA Labour Relations Officer (Lead Spokesperson)

Jody Machtans, HSAA Labour Relations Officer, (Spokesperson)

Sheena Schiemann, HSAA Administrative Assistant Negotiations