The Alberta government and a major healthcare union reached a tentative deal on Thursday.
The Health Sciences Association of Alberta, which represents more than 22,000 workers, says the agreement comes after 16 months of talks and a formal mediation process.
The association says voting to ratify the deal will begin Aug. 28 until Sep. 10, and they are recommending approval of the deal that includes a 12 per cent wage increase over four years.
Other aspects of the deal include market adjustments to salary for nearly 20 per cent of members, improved coverage for dental and massage therapy, and improved leaves of absence.
“While this agreement doesn’t include everything we wanted, it does reflect some of the priorities our members have been seeking, including higher wages and improved benefits,” says HSAA President Mike Parker in a statement.
Finance Minister Nate Horner says the deal is a result of months of hard work.
“The partnership between the two parties is a testament to the importance of these health care professionals and the services they provide to Albertans, and our health system,” reads a statement from Horner. “Out of respect for the union’s process, I am unable to speak to the specifics of the deal at this time.”
The HSAA represents health workers across more than 150 healthcare-related professions, including paramedics, mental health counsellors, pharmacists, and physiotherapists.