The Alberta Health Services (AHS) collective agreement for 2021 has been a topic of discussion among healthcare workers and industry experts alike. As the largest health organization in Alberta, AHS employs over 43,000 healthcare professionals, making it one of the most significant collective agreements in the province.
The collective agreement, which was finalized in February 2021, covers a range of topics, including wages, benefits, and working conditions for AHS employees. Under the agreement, healthcare workers will receive a 3% wage increase for the first year, followed by a 2% increase in the second and third years of the contract. Additionally, the agreement includes provisions for paid bereavement leave and an increase in shift premiums for employees who work evenings, nights, or weekends.
One of the most significant changes included in the agreement pertains to the use of temporary agency staff. Under the new contract, AHS will be required to reduce its reliance on temporary agency staff and hire more permanent full-time and part-time employees to fill vacancies. This provision has been a major point of contention between AHS and healthcare unions, with some arguing that the overuse of temporary staff can lead to a decrease in patient care quality.
The collective agreement also includes provisions for the creation of a joint job evaluation committee, tasked with examining job classifications and ensuring that they are fair and equitable. This committee, made up of both AHS management and union representatives, will work to identify any discrepancies in job classifications and make recommendations for adjustments as necessary.
Overall, the 2021 AHS collective agreement has been viewed as a positive development for healthcare workers in Alberta. While there were disagreements and negotiations leading up to the final agreement, the wage increases and provisions for better working conditions and job evaluations provide much-needed relief for healthcare workers who have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. With these new changes in place, healthcare workers in Alberta can continue to provide the high-quality care that the province is known for, while also receiving the fair compensation and support they deserve.
