A tentative agreement has been reached for Registered Nurses in Alberta. (Photo: Antonioguillem | Dreamstime.com)

By David Opinko

Registered Nurses in Alberta sign new tentative agreement

Mar 10, 2025 | 3:14 PM

More than 33,000 healthcare workers could be on their way to securing a new contract.

United Nurses of Alberta (UNA) says it has reached a tentative agreement for its Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses. They work for employers such as Alberta Health Services (AHS), Recovery Alberta, Primary Care Alberta, Covenant Health, Lamont Health Care Centre, and The Bethany Group (Camrose).

UNA Chief Negotiator David Harrigan called it “an excellent agreement.”

Members will get an immediate 15 per cent raise, and over the life of the four-year deal, wages will go up by approximately 20 per cent.

Some of the other benefits under the proposed agreement include:

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• On-call rates more than double from $3.30 per hour to $7 per hour
• A commitment from the employers to provide “safe staffing for all patients, residents and clients” with an evidence-based safe staffing review
• A commitment to hire 1,000 new nursing graduates per year
• Five paid days off for domestic violence leave
• Presumptive coverage for PTSD and psychological injuries
• Job security during the restructuring of Alberta’s healthcare system
• $22.5 million per year from the Government of Alberta for the retention and recruitment of nurses in rural Alberta, an increase from $7.5 million annually

Finance Minister Nate Horner thanked AHS and UNA’s leadership for their efforts in securing the tentative agreement.

“I have tremendous respect for the unique role nurses have in the health and well-being of all Albertans. This proposed settlement recognizes their hard work and dedication and the value they bring to our health care system,” says Horner.

Impacted UNA members are set to vote on the tentative agreement on April 2, 2025.

More details on the proposed deal are on UNA.ca

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