In a historic move, Alberta nurses have overwhelmingly voted in favor of a new four-year collective agreement with provincial health agencies, effectively making them the highest-paid nursing professionals in Canada.

The United Nurses of Alberta (UNA) announced that a staggering 95.7% of eligible registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses participated in the vote, with approximately 77.4% of members turning out to express their approval. This decisive result marks a significant moment for healthcare professionals in Alberta, emphasizing their commitment to improving working conditions and pay.

UNA President, Heather Smith, remarked that the new agreement is a substantial acknowledgment of the hard work and dedication shown by Alberta’s nurses. She noted, “This round of negotiations was primarily about respect, retention, and recruitment.” The union had previously rejected a settlement that was recommended by a mediator last October, sending a clear message to the provincial government that more needed to be done.

The new collective agreement, which takes effect retroactively from March 31, 2024, until April 1, 2028, promises a staggering 20% increase in pay over its duration. Nurses can expect an immediate boost of up to 15%, along with annual increases of 3% each year. Additionally, a revamped pay grid will ensure that pay rises by 4% with each step on the grid.

Other vital aspects of the agreement include: - Significant raises for on-call and charge pay, as well as other premium compensations. - Full reimbursement for professional registration and liability fees. - New safety measures to guarantee proper staffing levels. - A commitment to providing presumptive coverage for PTSD and psychological injuries. - Job security amid healthcare restructuring, along with specific support for rural healthcare staffing.

The province’s Finance Minister, Nate Horner, emphasized the importance of this agreement for both retaining and recruiting nursing talent, stating, “We all have tremendous respect for nurses, and our healthcare system could not thrive without them.”

Furthermore, an ambitious new graduate nursing transition pilot program aims to recruit 1,000 fresh nursing graduates annually throughout the contract term, ensuring that nearly every new nurse from the province's educational institutions may secure full-time employment immediately upon graduation.

This landmark agreement not only elevates the financial status of Alberta nurses but also underscores the government’s recognition of their essential role in the province's healthcare system. As Alberta nurses step into this new era of professional respect and support, the implications for healthcare delivery in the region could be profound. Stay tuned for more updates on how this groundbreaking agreement impacts Alberta's healthcare landscape!