Retention Payments coming for UNA members in Central, North and South Zones

Alberta nurses covered by the United Nurses of Alberta Provincial Collective Agreement and employed in the Central, North and South Zones are eligible for a Retention Payment for work done in 2022.

The 57 cents per hour for work done between April 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022 is being allocated by the joint UNA-Employer Rural Capacity Investment Fund (RCIF) committee as a way of acknowledging the hard work and commitment of nurses within these three zones.

The 2022 Retention Payment also applies to all paid hours inclusive of those in Letter of Understanding 29, which includes Maternity, Parental, and Compassion leave.

There is no application process for this Retention Payment. The payment will be automatically included on employee pay cheque in May 2023.

The Retention Payment is being allocated from the nearly $5 million remaining in RCIF for the 2022/2023 fiscal year.

To be recognized for the work done between April 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022, individuals need to have remained employed until February 17, 2023. Nurses no longer employed in those zones after February 17 are still eligible to receive the Retention Payment. 

The Provincial General Agreement applies to UNA members employed by Alberta Health Services, Covenant Health, Lamont Health Care Centre, and The Bethany Group (Camrose).

UNA members are also eligible for significant worksite relocation incentives as well as moving expenses as part of the joint UNA-Employer RCIF negotiated in the Provincial Collective Agreement ratified in 2022.