Wage-Reopener Arbitration Begins in Edmonton

The United Nurses of Alberta Negotiating Committee gathered in Edmonton on Dec. 4 for the first day of the wage reopener arbitration between the union, Alberta Health Services and other health care employers.

The hearing is being held to determine the wage increase in the third year of the UNA Provincial Collective Agreement set to expire in 2020. UNA is asking for a 3 per cent increase and the employer has been directed by the provincial government to ask for a 3 per cent wage rollback.

The arbitration board is being chaired by arbitrator David Jones and includes employer nominee Lynn Michele Angotti and Union nominee David Williams.

The board heard witness testimony yesterday from economist John O’Grady and is expected to hear from UNA Professional Responsibility Advisor Josh Bergman and UNA Director of Labour Relations David Harrigan when the hearing resumes on Dec. 5.

Further updates will be posted on this website.

UNA represents more than 30,000 Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses and allied health care workers in Alberta, a significant majority employed in the public sector.