Compensation will increase further if employers don't staff to meet patient needs
NURSES HAVE BEEN clear about our need for compensation that rewards their contribution to health care. We've also been clear that employers must match staffing levels with patient care needs.
Our bargaining team found innovative ways to work within the provincial government's bargaining mandate and secure new premiums to compensate nurses for the unique working conditions we face. It was important that health employers deliver not only a salary increase, but that they acknowledge the unique challenges nurses face – and compensate us accordingly.
Nurses will receive a general wage increase of six percent over three years for all members in accordance with the provincial government's sustainable services negotiating mandate that's applicable to all public sector unions.
The proposed contract contains the following improvements:
WAGE INCREASES:
|
| April 1, 2019 2%* |
| April 1, 2020 2% |
| April 1, 2021 2% |
* Combined with the current NBA contract wage increase of 1.75% effective February 1, 2019, RNs will receive a total wage increase of 3.75% in 2019.
FORENSIC NURSES
Forensic nurses will be integrated into the RN/RPN wage grid and will get the following hourly premiums:
- 4% of the Level 3 Year 8 wage when working in maximum or multi-level security
- 2% of the Level 3 Year 4 wage when working in minimum or medium security. Forensic community liaison nurses will also receive the 2% premium.
LPNs
LPNs will be integrated into the NBA's nine-step pay grid based on their current location on the previous six-step grid.
This integration gave our bargaining team a unique opportunity to move money within the nine steps in order to incentivize retention and provide the highest total income over a long career.
- In 2021 the highest step on the new LPN grid will be 8.3% higher than the highest step on the old grid. The new Year 9 wage is where long-serving nurses will spend most of their career – it will bring the most overall income and highest possible pension.
- LPNs on Step 1 and 2 in 2019, 2020 and 2021 will get an additional $487.50 per year based on the number of hours worked.
LICENSING FEES
Rising regulatory college fees are hitting nurses' wallets. Under the proposed agreement, employers will help nurses cover this cost by partially reimbursing a portion of our college and licensing fees – $215 a year – starting April 1, 2020.
UPDATE (Dec 2018)