Key Takeaways
- 71% of AHS Nursing Care members participated in the vote to ratify the tentative agreement.
- 63.3% of members working for AHS and the pillars voted in favour of the agreement.
- Members at Allen Grey voted 95% in favour of the agreement.
- The agreement includes significant raises, including retroactive market adjustments, and sets a new standard for collective agreements in the health care sector.
- The negotiating team is committed to continuing to fight for the rights and interests of Nursing Care members, particularly with regards to scheduling and scope of practice.
Introduction to the Agreement
The votes are in, and the AHS Nursing Care members have ratified their tentative agreement. This is a significant achievement, with 71% of members participating in the vote. The results show that members working for AHS and the pillars voted 63.3% in favour of the agreement, while members at Allen Grey voted a resounding 95% in favour. However, the exception is Lamont Health Care Centre, which conducted a separate ratification vote and did not vote in favour of the agreement. As a result, Nursing Care members at this site will return to the bargaining table to renegotiate the terms of the agreement.
Terms of the Agreement
The ratified agreement is a major victory for AHS Nursing Care members, as it raises the bar for collective agreements in the health care sector and the rest of the public sector. The agreement includes significant raises, including retroactive market adjustments, which are a direct result of the dedication and solidarity of the members. The negotiating team is proud of the progress made, but acknowledges that there is still work to be done, particularly with regards to scheduling and the expanded scope of practice. These issues will be a focus of future bargaining, and the team is committed to continuing to fight for the rights and interests of Nursing Care members.
Next Steps and Implementation
The negotiating team will share more details about the next steps and implementation of the agreement in the coming days. In the meantime, members with questions or concerns are encouraged to reach out to a member of the negotiating team. The team is grateful for the support shown by members over the past 20 months of bargaining and is committed to continuing to work tirelessly on their behalf. The solidarity and determination of the members have been instrumental in achieving this agreement, and the team is confident that this same solidarity will serve them well when they begin bargaining again in two years.
Acknowledging the Negotiating Team
The AHS Nursing Care negotiating team wishes to thank the members for their support and dedication throughout the bargaining process. The team is composed of representatives from various locals, including Christine Vavrik, Catherine Sivasankar, Sandy Miller, Jennifer Power, Marg Miller, Jesse Philp, Nancy Burton, Angela Smyth, Marty Roy, and Heather Stewart. The team is also supported by AUPE resource staff, including Kate Robinson, Lead Negotiator, and Chris Dickson, Negotiator. The team’s hard work and commitment have been instrumental in achieving this agreement, and they will continue to work on behalf of the members to address any questions or concerns that may arise.
Conclusion and Future Directions
In conclusion, the ratification of the tentative agreement is a significant achievement for AHS Nursing Care members. The agreement sets a new standard for collective agreements in the health care sector and includes significant raises and benefits for members. While there is still work to be done, particularly with regards to scheduling and scope of practice, the negotiating team is committed to continuing to fight for the rights and interests of Nursing Care members. The team is grateful for the support and solidarity of the members and looks forward to continuing to work on their behalf in the future. As the team begins to prepare for the next round of bargaining, they are confident that the same determination and solidarity that achieved this agreement will serve them well in achieving even greater gains for Nursing Care members.
