Join us and our public supporters in telling the premier to treat health-care professionals with respect. Send your letter today! 

Health care in Alberta is in crisis. Instead of investing in the people who care for us and tackling the health-care staffing shortage, the government is making the problem worse.  

HSAA members are asking for fair wages that would help retain and recruit the workers needed to provide quality, reliable care, but their employer is proposing to freeze the base wages of more than 20% of HSAA members, offering them only a one-time lump sum, while offering the rest of the membership amounts that fail to keep up with inflation. 

This divisive and insulting approach shows a lack of respect for health-care professionals and the work they do. The government is further undermining an already stressed system, making it harder for Albertans to get care where and when they need it.

“Wages below inflation or lumps sums will only make the staffing crisis worse by pushing health-care workers out of the province and making Alberta even more unattractive to new workers,” says Mike Parker, HSAA President. 

“We need to be doing everything we can to retain and recruit health-care workers to ensure that our public health system is accessible for everyone when they need it. This divisive proposal and refusal to negotiate is an attack on our rights as union members. HSAA members are united in our position that all health-care professionals deserve a fair wage increase above inflation, and we will not be backing down from that,” concluded Parker. 

Tell the Premier: it’s time to listen to and respect health-care professionals by fairly paying us for our work.  

This past Friday the Minister of Health sent out an update to all health-care unions about changes to AHS coming in this legislative session to develop the acute care agency as part of their health-care restructuring plans. 

Here is what we know: 

• They will be creating a new legal structure, a provincial health corporation, to facilitate Alberta Health Services' transition from a regional health authority to an acute care service provider. 
• The Alberta Cancer Registry will no longer be managed by AHS but by a new unspecified organization designated by the Minister of Health. 
• Property owned by AHS will be transferred to Alberta Infrastructure. 
• Implementing the AHS transition into an acute care provider may entail transition of HSAA members. However, no information was provided on the timing of these changes or how it will impact HSAA members. 
• Existing bargaining relationships and collective agreements will be maintained. 

What we believe this to mean: 

• AHS will be changing its role for the regional health authority to a service provider of acute care services. 
• A new, yet to be announced, Provincial Health Agency will be responsible for AHS’ former role as a regional health authority for acute care. 

What we do not know: 

• What will happen to all the non-acute care functions in AHS? 
• How will the acute care organization operate? 
• Will there be additional acute care providers? 

HSAA will seek clarity on the impacts of these legislative changes on you and will share any information we receive as soon as possible. 

We would like to inform all HSAA Members and Local Unit Reps that, effective immediately, all HSAA Store Vouchers will now expire after 1 year, from date of issue.

• All vouchers created prior to February 15, 2024, will now expire on February 15, 2025.  
• Vouchers created after February 15, 2024, and all new vouchers going forward, will expire 1 year after date of issue. 

Voucher codes will not be replaced by HSAA if lost. The Local Unit Chair will receive the voucher codes by the email they have provided to HSAA, and the codes become their responsibility. Please work with your Local Unit Chair if you have questions about old vouchers. 

As AGMM season is now underway, and the seasons are changing, we will be adding more merchandise, apparel and accessories to the HSAA Store so there are many options to use existing vouchers.

Thank you for your understanding. If you have any questions about this, please reach out to either your Local Units team at localunits@hsaa.ca or the HSAA merchandise team at merchandise@hsaa.ca.

Don’t forget to use your Local Unit funds and vouchers at the HSAA Store! There are apparel, accessories and items on clear out pricing for you to take advantage of. Head to the HSAA Store to view all that is available and keep an eye out for new winter products coming soon! 

Servicing items & bulk orders 

Local Unit Chairs & Executives! If you are requesting service items, please head to the Local Units – HSAA Store to see what items are available and submit your form to merchandise@hsaa.ca. 

Don’t forget we still have HSAA utensil sets available for purchase using Local Unit funds at $11 each. Or if you are interested in a bulk order for a specific item, we can help you find a product to fit your needs. Just submit your inquiry to merchandise@hsaa.ca!  

Note: bulk orders are fully invoiced using Local Unit funds and will include taxes and freight. Example items include: food thermos container (below), charging cables, earbuds, accessories or clothing. 

Have any suggestions or feedback on servicing items or merchandise? Send in your ideas to merchandise@hsaa.ca.

Hi friends! This is your Education and Events team inviting you to join us for our upcoming fall workshops focusing on union fundamentals, and important issues within our workplace and community.   

Learn about the inner workings of our union! Break the silence surrounding mental health in the workplace. Learn how to combat stigmatization and promote mental health wellness.  

Join our highly anticipated pension and retirement sessions in Calgary and Red Deer and learn strategies for financial security in retirement from experts. 

Come deepen your understanding of your collective agreement to ensure you’re fully aware of your rights and benefits at our Understanding Your Collective Agreement workshop.  

From navigating challenges to leveraging strengths, come discover the power of solidarity and leadership at our Women in Leadership workshop.  

Don’t miss out on these opportunities! Spaces are limited. Register now to secure your place and be part of the change! Together we can create a stronger, healthier, and inclusive union community.   

Don’t forget to secure time off from your employer. Your time off/wages and other expenses are paid for when attending HSAA workshops.    

Click here to see the full workshop schedule and descriptions. For inquiries, email workshops@hsaa.ca.   

We are in a high season of bargaining at HSAA, with a large portion of our membership openly in negotiations or with negotiations upcoming. Below is a quick summary of which tables are actively bargaining, and which are upcoming, as well as links to some of the latest bargaining updates.  

Active bargaining tables 

• Alberta Health Services  
• Alberta Precision Laboratories 
• Bethany Care Society 
• Canadian Blood Services  
• CapitalCare 
• Carewest 
• Christenson Communities Ltd. 
• Covenant Health  
• Covenant Health - Bonnyville Health Centre 
• Good Samaritan Society  
• Siksika Health Services  
• Stettler & District Ambulance Association  
• Wheatland and Adjacent Districts Emergency Medical Services Association 

Upcoming bargaining tables: 

• Rexall Pharmacies (Calgary) - Dec. 20, 2024 
• East Central 911 – Dec. 31, 2024 
• Workers’ Compensation Board – Dec. 31, 2024 
• Prairie Emergency Medical Systems – Mar. 31, 2025 
• Associated Ambulance and Services (Whitecourt) Ltd. - Mar. 31, 2025 
• East Central Ambulance Association – Jul. 31, 2025 
• Foothills Regional Emergency Services Commission – Dec. 31, 2025 

Latest bargaining updates (past 30 days): 

• AHS Bargaining Update #14 
• AHS Bargaining Update #15: Informal mediation dates finalized 
• Stettler District Ambulance Association Tentative Agreement Reached 

Remember: you can always view the latest in bargaining on the HSAA Member Hub at: member.hsaa.ca/bargaining. 

HSAA members joined the Rally for Respect at the Alberta legislature on October 24. Members are rallying for respect because health-care professionals have taken on far too much because of the actions of this government, to now be met with wage freezes in bargaining! 

Albertans want a public health-care system that provides the care they need. There is no health care without the work of HSAA members. Without fair wages, we cannot retain the health-care professionals we have, let alone recruit more.  

Thank you to all the members who showed up in support for this historic rally – with quite a large turnout! It was a beautiful day to rally for respect together with other public-sector workers and health-care professionals. 

AWARE Alberta is offering HSAA Members the unique opportunity to participate in a virtual care worker forum on November 17. The aim is simple: by bringing together care workers, researchers and settlement workers, this forum will help interested members work towards the ultimate goal: providing the best care possible for their patients.

Interested members can join the virtual webinar by following the Zoom link below:  

https://zoom.us/j/95379032048?pwd=18r9BuPaNhJKego42CwjNK3aBuH0Z0.1 

Long-Service Pins 

AGMM coming up? Local Unit Executives, don’t forget about requesting HSAA long service pins for your members! The long-service pins are presented to members who have been part of HSAA for 10/15/20/25/30/35/40/45 years to recognize those years of service as a union member. Click here to request Long-Service Pins.

Retirement Gift 

To recognize years of dedication, hard work and solidarity, HSAA offers all retiring members a gift. The gift can be requested by the Local Unit Executive, a fellow member or the member themselves. 

Planning your retirement? Click here for helpful tools and information.

Elisabeth Ballermann Social Justice Labour Relations Fund 

Receive up to $300 for events directly related to social justice, labour relations and unionism. You have sixty (60) days from the completion date to apply. Travel expenses are eligible too! Click here for full details and to apply.   

We are approaching a time of year when many dates of significance remind us of the importance of highlighting and working towards the elimination of gender-based violence. November 25 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, which is a day that also kicks off 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. Here in Canada, December 6 marks the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women, the anniversary of the murder of 14 young women at Polytechnique Montréal. 

There are many important reasons to shine a light on the impacts of gender-based violence and to focus on how we can pave the way to a safer and more inclusive society. We can prevent and end gender-based violence. 

Great organizations in Alberta, Canada and beyond our borders have and continue to do great research and work on the topic of gender-based violence. For this month’s spotlight, we are sharing some information and staggering statistics on gender-based violence from a few organizations doing work to advocate on issues related to gender-based violence. We hope you’ll take some time to read. 

1. “New domestic violence shelter data [...] reveals a range of indicators showing domestic violence in Alberta is trending up. Calls for help to Alberta Council of Women’s Shelter (ACWS) members hit a ten year high with over 59,000 calls answered by domestic abuse shelters.” - Report Reveals Ten Year Highs for Domestic Violence Indicators in Alberta, Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters 
2.  5 common myths about gender-based violence – United Way, Alberta Capital Region 
3. Domestic violence can carry over into the workplace, threatening women’s ability to maintain economic independence. More than half (53%) of study respondents who experienced domestic violence said that at least one type of abusive act happened at or near their workplace. Almost 40% of those who had experienced domestic abuse said it made it difficult for them to get to work, and 8.5% said that they lost their jobs because of it. - The Facts about Gender-Based Violence, Canadian Women's Foundation  
4. “While gender-based violence can happen to anyone, anywhere, some women and girls are particularly vulnerable - for instance, young girls and older women, women who identify as lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex, migrants and refugees, indigenous women and ethnic minorities, or women and girls living with HIV and disabilities, and those living through humanitarian crises.” - United Nations 

If you or someone you know is experiencing gender-based violence or needs help, dial 2-1-1 to connect with resources and support services available in your community. 211 Alberta is a confidential helpline available 24/7 that can provide access to crisis intervention, counseling, safe shelters, legal assistance and more.