Enhanced mental health and psychological supports included in new Provincial Collective Agreement

Having to work and provide family care and self-care during unprecedented times can not only be stressful but traumatizing. United Nurses of Alberta recognizes that these events can affect our members in different ways.

This is why UNA pushed for enhanced access to mental health and psychological supports in the new Provincial Collective Agreement.

A key improvement included in Letter of Understanding #18 of the new agreement includes expanded benefits coverage for UNA members accessing services from Chartered Psychologists, Masters of Social Work, or Addictions Counsellors. Members are now covered for a combined annual maximum of $3,000 for these services.

This is a significant gain from the previous contract, which gave UNA members $50 per visit to a maximum of 20 visits per year.

The agreement also states that the Employer will work with UNA to develop strategies and initiatives to address mental health challenges faced by the nursing workforce in Alberta.

This LOU also includes the removal of the requirement for a written physician’s order to access massage therapy and orthotics, and the addition of Occupational Therapists to the list of Paramedical Practitioners whose services can be accessed at a rate of $50 per visit for a combined maximum of 20 visits per year.

The Provincial Collective Agreement and this LOU apply to UNA members employed by Alberta Health Services, Covenant Health, Lamont Health Centre and The Bethany Group (Camrose).

The health and safety of UNA members and their patients remains our priority, so UNA encourages members in distress to access these services and other resources available to assist with monitoring your own personal mental health.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your UNA Local Executive or Labour Relations Officer at 1-800-252-9394.