Health science professionals vote to accept proposed collective agreement
Members of the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association have voted to accept the terms of collective agreement terms reached in late December.
-There is no question that the frustration felt by the bargaining committee, which was forced to deal with a government-imposed ‘net-zero mandate, was also felt by health science professionals who voted on the tentative agreement," said HSA President Reid Johnson.
The agreement passed with 57 per cent voting in favour.
The terms of the agreement include: enhanced benefits coverage; improved opportunities for professional development; a fair and equitable process to protect job security; working groups that lay the foundation for progress on challenges related to disability management, on-call and call-backs; a substantive classifications review, with two significant priorities being to lift Grade I to Grade II wage rates to recognize the value of professional practice leadership; and establishment of a high-level joint committee including the Ministry of Health, Health Authorities and HSA that recognizes the value of and involves health science professionals in decision making about the health care system.
Achieved under the government-imposed mandate for net-zero increases in public sector bargaining, the contract includes an agreement to suspend accrual of one vacation day in 2010-2011.
Details of the terms of the agreement are here.