New contract protects nurses’ judgment calls
After almost two years without a contract, Saskatchewan Union of Nurses members have ratified a new, four-year collective agreement.
“I feel we got a very good deal,” SUN president Tracy Zambory said.
On Wednesday, 91.5 per cent of members who cast ballots voted to accept it.
A key point is stronger language allowing charge nurses to exercise professional judgment in calling in additional nursing staff when necessary. It was the issue that caused the union to declare an impasse in negotiations in February, Zambory said.
“That, for SUN members, was huge.”
After SUN declared the impasse, mediator Richard Hornung was appointed by the government. Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations CEO Doug Forseth had cited wages as the roadblock.
Zambory said working with Hornung was a positive experience, as he was able to clear out the “minutiae” clouding the negotiating table.
The agreement also contains modest raises for registered nurses. They’ll get lump sums of up to $800 for each of the 2014 and 2015 fiscal years, then 1.5 per cent wage increases in each of the following years.
The $800 payments in lieu of wage increases show respect for nurses while acknowledging the tough financial times in the province, Zambory said.
In their 2008 contract, SUN members received a wage increase of 36 per cent, which Zambory said was a market adjustment to stop out-migration of nurses to other provinces, particularly Alberta. Retention has improved since then, although SUN polling is starting to show workload as a concern.
“We’ve got lots to look at over the next couple of years,” Zambory said.
Francis Schmeichel, director of classification and compensation for SAHO, declined to discuss the specifics of the deal, but struck a positive note.
“I think it’s a fair and sustainable agreement,” he said.
Schmeichel said SAHO will hold its ratification vote near the end of April.