UPDATE #9

June 7, 2024

• Met with Employers June 5 and 6, 2024.

• Very limited progress. UNA and Employers have agreed to seek the assistance of a mediator.

• Completed overarching Essential Service Agreement (ESA) with Alberta Health Services. Expect to conclude ESA with Covenant Health soon. We have asked the Employers to provide the Unit/Office staffing plans as soon as possible.

• As we have reached agreement on the transfer process to Recovery Alberta, including issuing a joint communication, we do not expect to proceed with the Labour Relations Board complaint on June 20 and 21, 2024.

• Next bargaining dates are June 24 and 25, 2024.

The Negotiating Committee reminds all members that wearing a RESPECT pin or a red ribbon is a sign of support for our efforts to achieve a collective agreement Alberta nurses can be proud of. Pins are available by contacting UNA’s Provincial Office.

Update #8

May 31, 2024

• The Negotiating Committee completed 5 days of talks with AHS (May 23, 24, 28 29 and 30) regarding the transfer of Employees to Recovery Alberta (RA).

• We are pleased to announce a new Letter of Understanding has been achieved which protects the rights of Employees impacted by the creation of Recovery Alberta. (attached)

• Highlights:

– The Letter of Understanding applies to Recovery Alberta and to future transfers arising from Bill 22, Health Statutes Amendment Act.

– Directly affected Employees will have the option to transfer to the Recovery Alberta or to remain in AHS, with full rights to displace or fill a vacant position under Article 15 Layoff and Recall.

– Indirectly affected Employees will have the ability to select a vacant position in Recovery Alberta in addition to Article 15 rights.

– Although there will be 2 separate Employers, until April 7, 2025 Recovery Alberta and AHS Employees will be treated as a single bargaining unit.

– After April 7, 2025 although Recovery Alberta Employees  will no longer be internal candidates within AHS, but they will be considered ahead of external candidates.

– The Letter of understanding addresses Employees who are on Leaves of absence, WCB, and disability when Recovery Alberta is formally created, which is expected to be around July 1, 2024. 

• The Negotiating Committee will prepare a Frequently Asked Questions document about the new Letter of Understanding.

• Negotiations for the Provincial Collective Agreement resume June 5 and 6, 2024.

The Negotiating Committee reminds all members that wearing a RESPECT pin or a red ribbon is a sign of support for our efforts to achieve a collective agreement Alberta nurses can be proud of. Pins are available from your Local Executive or by contacting UNA’s Provincial Office.

Check your (personal) inbox for the Local 196 May e-Newsletter! Read about recent and upcoming events and more!

Click the link below to view the May edition of Local 196’s e-newsletter:

Local 196 UNA e-newsletter: May 2024

The Local newsletter was sent via MailChimp with updated member contact information from Provincial UNA Office. It was sent to personal email addresses only. If you did not receive our newsletter, please update your contact information in UNA’s DMS system and email local196exec@una.ca to be added to our subscribers list. You don’t want to miss out!

UNA Pride is having their seasonal meeting! If you want to attend, send an email to pride@una.ca to get on the list.

Click on the above photo or HERE to watch the Nurses Week video.

Thank you, Local 196 nurses, for all you do; your hard work and dedication do not go unnoticed. It is the members that make this local so special. 

Celebrating Nurses: A Video Tribute

Includes Local 196 members – Joanne Tekonomy, Carol Owens and Amber Engel 

During this Nurses Week, we invite you to witness a heartfelt display of solidarity and gratitude captured in a single video.

Nurses across Alberta have united to convey a profound message of appreciation and encouragement.

Experience the heartfelt stories and genuine expressions of dedication, love, and support from our fellow nurses in this month’s episode of our ‘Behind The Frontlines’ video series on YouTube.

A resolution conference has been scheduled by the Alberta Labour Relations Board for Tuesday, May 7, regarding United Nurses of Alberta’s unfair labour practice complaint against Alberta Health Services in negotiations for a new Provincial Collective Agreement.

As a result, bargaining on the morning of May 7 will be cancelled.

Bargaining will take place on May 6, the afternoon of May 7, and May 8.

The complaint, filed on April 8, alleges bad faith bargaining and interference with the union’s representation of its members by the employer, relating to its unwillingness to discuss the implications of the creation of Recovery Alberta and by misleading UNA members in discussion at a number of town halls on the issue.

UNA will update members as developments take place.

Speaker: Aaron Paquette

First Nation Metis Writer, Politician, Artist and Keynote Speaker

Aaron Paquette is one of Canadaʼs best-known First Nations Metis personalities. He is a bestselling, award-winning author, an acclaimed painter and artist, an illustrator, goldsmith and cathedral stained glass artist. On October 16, 2017, Aaron was elected to the Edmonton City Counsel to represent Ward 4 in the City’s Northeast

He is also fortunate to be alive.  It was on an August night in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, that Aaron found himself on the guardrails of the High Level Bridge. Aaron has found a way to voice his message. We all suffer, but none of us are alone. There is a strength within us and around us that we can constantly draw on, not only to get us through tough times, but to propel us into the life we always wanted.

Aaron is an engaging, exciting, and inspiring speaker who generously shares his spirit in laughter, joy, and learning. His bestselling book, Lightfinder, is taught across Canada in schools, colleges and universities.

To register for the upcoming dinner click HERE