THE HSAS/SAHO (April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2024) CONTRACT 

Our main Collective Agreement with SAHO expired at the end of March 2024. However, it remains in place and in effect until a new agreement is negotiated and signed. 

TIMELINE: WHERE ARE WE IN THE PROCESS OF NEGOTIATING A NEW CONTRACT?

• Spring 2023 – Online Bargaining Survey with over 1200 HSAS members participating
• May 31-June 1, 2023 – HSAS Bargaining Conference held in Saskatoon with 68 members from 22 occupations attending
• Summer 2023 – Negotiations Working Committee formed.  This Committee is composed of HSAS Staff members who provide support to the Negotiating Committee
• Fall 2023 – HSAS Negotiating Committee formed
• January 11^th, 2024 – HSAS provided the Notice to Commence Collective Bargaining to SAHO

COMMITTEE WORK

The Negotiations Committee and Working Committee have been preparing for this round of bargaining since last fall.  Information considered has included Bargaining Survey results, Bargaining Conference attendee discussions, worksite meeting discussions, and member concerns gathered from HSAS Labour Relations staff.

Next steps include the formation of a bargaining proposal package which will be presented to HSAS Executive Council for approval prior to presentation to the Employer Negotiating Committee.

At this point, no dates have been set for the exchange of proposals and commencement of negotiations with the Employer. In the previous round of bargaining the Notice to Bargain also occurred in January (2018) with expiry of the agreement on March 31, 2018 with HSAS and the Employer meeting to exchange proposals in December of 2018.

ONGOING WORK 

A Collective Agreement is negotiated once every so many years. However, in between those periods of negotiation it remains a living entity. Hundreds of Collective Agreement-based conversations will take place between HSAS Labour Relations, HSAS members and the Employer. Arising from those conversations there will be settled grievances, extended shift agreements, retention initiatives and resolved workplace concerns.

The day-to-day advocacy for members will continue while the ongoing work of preparing for the exchange of proposals is completed. Additionally, in support of members, participation in retention and recruitment discussions, Market Supplement program work, safety initiatives with the SHA and on a provincial level will also continue.

THE HSAS/SAHO (April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2024) CONTRACT

Current State

The Provincial Collective Agreement between HSAS and the SHA expired on March 31^st, 2024. However, the Collective Agreement remains in force until a new agreement is negotiated.

Initial bargaining dates for a new Collective Agreement have been set with the Employer. Our initial meeting will take place at the end of January – additional dates are scheduled beginning in March through to the end of June. The Parties have agreed to review progress in mid-April and set additional dates at that time.

Preparation for Bargaining

In 2023 we held our Bargaining Conference and conducted a bargaining survey. We have attended a number of meetings with staff, reviewed grievances, settlements, issues, and arbitrations. Through this process, four themes have emerged that will guide our bargaining strategy: 1) respect and value in the workplace; 2) retention and recruitment; 3) workload, safety, and health; 4) fair compensation and benefits.

Over the past year and a half, the labour relations staff in collaboration with the HSAS Negotiating Committee, have been working on developing strategies to address these themes as well as other issues and concerns raised by members or discovered through the day-to-day application of the current Agreement. Making advancements and improvements for our members takes thoughtfulness and well-developed strategies. While it may be frustrating, this is why it is not uncommon for the collective bargaining process to take time. In fact, most large collective agreements take over two years to negotiate; some, well beyond that.

Going Forward

As we move forward in the bargaining process, we will email members with periodic updates.

Thank you for your support!

HSAS and SAHO met on January 27 through 29 to exchange initial proposal packages. HSAS put forward a package that, we believe, reflects the changes our members are seeking. The next bargaining dates are scheduled for March 12 to 14

HSAS and SAHO met to continue bargaining on March 12^th, 13^th, and 14^th and again on April 9^th. The HSAS Negotiating Committee also met to review and consider discussions arising from those dates.  

To date, there has been little progress made on our proposals. We do have dates set through to the end of the year with the next meeting dates set for May 7^th to 9^th. The Negotiating Committee will provide periodic updates in the months ahead. Please note that the bargaining process and proposals are confidential and information that can be shared will be limited.

Members wishing to communicate with the Negotiating Committee, can email [email protected].

HSAS and SAHO met to continue bargaining on May 7^th, 8^th and 9^th; May 21^st, 22^nd, and 23^rd; and June 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th. The HSAS Negotiating Committee also met to review and consider discussions arising from those dates.  

To date, some housekeeping items have been agreed to. However, bargaining continues to progress slowly. The next bargaining dates are June 24^th, 25^th, and 26^th. The Negotiating Committee will continue to provide periodic updates in the months ahead. Please note that the bargaining process and proposals are confidential and information that can be shared will be limited.

Members wishing to communicate with the Negotiating Committee can email [email protected].

Review of Bargaining

Bargaining commenced January 27^th through January 29^th, 2025 when the parties met to exchange initial proposal packages. The initial proposal packages serve as a guide for bargaining – in essence, this provides each side a glimpse into the issues that the other intends to address at bargaining. HSAS put forward a comprehensive package seeking to address: respect and inclusivity; safety and health in the workplace; retention and recruitment; compensation and benefits; and general/housekeeping matters.

Throughout 2025, we have met with the Employer on the following dates:

March 12^th through 14^th

April 9^th

May 7^th through 9^th

May 21^st through 23^rd

June 3^rd through 5^th

June 24^th through 26^th

Additional dates had been set for April 10^th and 11^th; however, HSAS used this time to consult legal counsel as concerns arose that the Employer was not fully engaging in the traditional bargaining process of exchanging proposals, discussion, and negotiation.

While we have made some progress to date, we still have a long way to go and anticipate this round of bargaining will continue to be difficult, lengthy, and frustrating.

What We Have Heard from You

We have heard from our members through: the bargaining survey, bargaining conference, conventions, grievances, arbitrations, issues raised, conversations, member meetings, and our own work with the Employer. Below is a brief summary of the subjects shared by members.

• work-life balance; flexibility in scheduling, including where and how you do your work
• utilization of casual employees to support your work and allow for time off from work
• career/professional development
• leaves for family needs
• preventative health and wellness
• ability to properly practice your profession and minimization of issues affecting that ability such as: aging infrastructure; lack of equipment or failing equipment; lack of resources; inadequate support
• safety in the workplace is high priority – workload, burnout, OH&S support, mental health support, working short staffed, protecting yourself and your clients (violence in the workplace)
• feel valued and respected
• lack of leadership and inability to have a voice in matters that may not be familiar to leadership
• staff shortages, lack of recruitment, not competitive with the market, lack of retention incentives
• time off needs to be respected
• better understanding of the diversity of our membership
• respectful and inclusive workplace for our members
• consider and honour the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action

Your Bargaining Team

Kim Canning, Lead Negotiator and Chair
Karen Schmid, President

Crystal Bittman
Angela Barsalou
Cori Debert

Haley Oshowy
Marisa Kermack
Amy Ewart
Al Boutin, Executive Director
Natalie Horejda, Manager of Communications

Staff Support:

Jesse Payne
Braden White
Curtis Shuba
Judy Dodman

What is Your Bargaining Team’s Goal?

HSAS is committed to negotiating a fair and balanced collective agreement. Our proposals aim to:

1. Retain a highly skilled membership. Reduce burnout. Improve job satisfaction. Create a work environment that prioritizes member well-being and ensures a healthy work-life balance for members. Incentives that promote long-term retention and reduced turnover. Increased flexibility and independence. Members are treated with respect and professionalism.

2. Develop initiatives and incentives to aid in recruitment. Ensure full staffing complement of HSAS members across all classifications. Eliminate, or reduce, the reliance on contract employees.

3. Remove inequities and foster a culture of belonging that recognizes the diversity of our membership. Create a workplace where all members are treated with dignity and respect, free from harassment, discrimination, and bias. Eliminate, or remove, systemic barriers to inclusion.

4. Ensure a safe, healthy, and hazard-free work environment. Proactive measures to prevent workplace accidents, injuries, and exposure to harmful conditions. Create a work environment where safety is prioritized and sustained for the well-being of our members. Mental health support. Fatigue management provisions.

5. Provide fair compensation and benefits. Explore opportunities in addition to general wage increases. Ensure sustainability of benefit programs. Provide enhanced compensation and benefits that aid in the goals of improving retention and recruitment.

The Bargaining Process is Lengthy

Most importantly, we heard from our members that you want change. A status quo or carry-over agreement is not acceptable. Even a small change, sometimes only ONE word, can take multiple bargaining sessions to achieve. We want big changes, and while we recognize we are unlikely to get everything we are asking for, your Bargaining Team is here to stay the course! We need you to be patient and, importantly, to remain supportive of your Union.

A Few Reminders

1. The Collective Agreement is still in force and remains in force until a new Collective Agreement is negotiated and ratified (voted on). HSAS continues to fight for change both inside and outside of bargaining.

2. It is important that you know your Collective Agreement and protect the integrity of what your Union has already fought for. Knowingly violating the CBA or turning a blind eye to wrongful action by the Employer (even if it appears to benefit you) diminishes our power at the bargaining table.

3. If something looks, feels, or sounds wrong – please contact HSAS. If your manager, or leader, says “we can’t do that because we are in bargaining” or “the Union won’t let us do that” contact [email protected].

4. Support and respect your Bargaining Team, your Union, and your fellow members. We are all in this together.

DID YOU KNOW…

HSAS members are entitled to overtime if you are required to work through your meal break?

See Article 15.02(d).

DID YOU KNOW…

HSAS members are not required to submit expenses utilizing the SHA’s per diem policy? 

See Article 19.03.

HSAS members are to be reimbursed for substantiated (via a receipt) meal expenses.

DID YOU KNOW…

The Employer cannot require you to correct an overpayment unless a meeting has been held with the Union and a repayment plan has been agreed to by all three parties?

See Article 18.04.

FIELD HOURS EMPLOYEE? 
DID YOU KNOW…

That you have the right to govern your own hours of work? 

Members working field hours in accordance with Article 15.01(C) have the flexibility to govern their own hours of work to meet client and essential program needs.

Future Bargaining Dates

Through the remainder of 2025, bargaining dates have been set on: August 26^th to 28^th; September 15^th and 16^th; October 15^th to 17^th; October 28^th to 30^th; November 12^th to 14^th; December 1^st to 3^rd. We will be working with the Employer to set dates for 2026.

Upcoming Bargaining Webinar

We will be hosting a short (approximately 20 minutes) webinar for our members regarding bargaining throughout the month of September.

A separate email will be sent in the near future and will provide you with further information on how to access the webinar.

Questions?

Questions regarding bargaining can be sent to: [email protected].

Any other questions or concerns regarding the Collective Agreement can be sent to [email protected].