Salary FAQs

Recognition of Previous Experience

UNA Employers will recognize relevant work experience hours from prior positions to determine salary placement. You must provide verification of your previous experience hours from your former employer(s) and complete the Recognition of Previous Experience form. 

  • Submit ONLY experience hours worked before the date you started with the health agency (ex. PCA, ALA)

  • Does not apply to positions held at the same time while employed at the health agency pillar *see Concurrent Service Hours*

  • Complete and submit the Recognition of Previous Experience form and supporting documents within three (3) months from your start date.

Concurrent Service Hours:

Casual/Part-time Employees who work at another Employer covered by the MultiEmployer/United Nurses of Alberta Collective Agreement may, once a year, provide proof of hours worked at the Basic Rate of Pay for that other Employer and have those hours applied for the purpose of achieving further increments on the Salary Grid, up to the maximum increment.

Article 30.01(c) (iv) (Part-time Employees) and Article 30.03 (c)(ii) (Casual Employees)

  • The “Once-Per-Year” Rule: You are only permitted to submit external concurrent hours to AHS once per calendar year. Make sure you have accumulated a meaningful number of hours before submitting. 

  • No Retrospective Pay: The Employer will update your salary step moving forward once it validates the hours. They will not retroactively backpay you for previous shifts worked before the letter was formally submitted.

  • Annual Step Limit: Combining hours will help you reach your next increment faster, but you still cannot advance more than one step per year on the grid.

  • For the hours to be considered, the employer MUST be covered by the MultiEmployer/United Nurses of Alberta Collective Agreement.  If you worked for an employer not covered by this agreement, those hours are not eligible and will be denied. 

Contact the HR department or payroll administrator at the Employer where you worked the hours you want recognized.

  • Ask them for an official Concurrent Service Hours Letter. This letter must clearly state your total regular, basic-rate hours worked within the last 12 months (excluding any overtime).

  • Log in to e-People, submit an HR Contact Request, and create a ticket under the category for Payroll / Salary Increments / Qualifications.

  • Upload and Submit. 

Part-time and casual employees can receive credit for hours worked at another employer

2% Long Service Pay Adjustment (LSPA)

Employees with 20 or more calendar years of nursing service shall receive a 2% Long Service Pay Adjustment (LSPA). To be eligible for an LSPA, the Employee shall provide the Employer with reasonable proof of the Employee’s calendar years of nursing service.

The required 20 calendar years of nursing service for eligibility for this payment includes all time in a registered or licensed capacity. This includes any time licensed as a Licensed Practical Nurse before becoming an RN or RPN, and time registered with any nursing licensing body in other provinces and countries. Unregulated nursing in classifications such as Nursing Attendant or Nursing Aide will not be recognized.

You have to notify your employer of your long service; otherwise, you will not be automatically opted in for the 2% pay. In addition, you will not receive retro pay if you delay applying.

Retention-LSPA Joint Statement 

2% Special Long Service Pay Retention Date Request (UNA Only)

Education Allowances:

UNA is strongly encouraging members and duespayers to review their pay stubs to ensure they are receiving any eligible education allowance.

Employees are responsible for providing proof of applicable education and confirming in e-People that the education allowance has been processed.

The Education Allowance is added to your step rate to form the basic rate of pay.

  • It will not display as a separate payment on your pay advice.

  • An education allowance can only be applied to the applicable education and position. 

Article 26

According to Article 26.01, Employers will acknowledge educational credentials from recognized post-secondary institutions and use those credentials to establish the Employee’s basic rate of pay.

Eligibility

Education allowances are available for completed, recognized Baccalaureate, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees once the employee provides satisfactory proof to their employer. The Employer will recognize courses, diplomas and degrees relevant to Registered Nursing or Registered Psychiatric Nursing practice offered by a bona fide Canadian postsecondary educational institution or equivalent.

Education allowances are not cumulative:

  • Employees receive only the highest applicable allowance.

  • Example: If an employee holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s, only the Master’s allowance applies.

UNA members are advised to keep a date-stamped record or copy of their notification (e.g., email) as proof of when they informed the employer

  • For information on how to check ePeople for your Education Allowances, click HERE

  • For more detailed information on Viewing Your Salary, Compensation History, and Retro Pay, click HERE

To submit an education allowance request:

  1. Complete the Education and Certificate Cover Sheet, attach all supporting documentation, and submit to your manager for review/approval.

  2. The manager will sign the Education and Certificate Cover Sheet and submit all the documentation to Shared Services – HR Administration for processing.

  3. To confirm the Education and Certificate Cover Sheet was received, contact the HR Contact Centre by phone at 1.877.511.4455 or through the HR Contact Centre Portal.