After six months of negotiations, Manitoba nurses have reached a tentative agreement with employers. The three and a half year agreement calls for a lump sum payment of 2 per cent, 1.1 per cent for pension deficit reduction over two years and 4 per cent salary increase in the third year.
A long service increment will also be paid in the third year to nurses
with 20 years or more experience.
Salaries will not be increased in the first two years if the agreement. Nurses also attained a jointly funded COLA fund for all health care workers by the Healthcare Employees Pension Plan (HEPP).
Reaching a settlement has been a long and difficult process,” said MNU President Sandi Mowat."Our members made it clear to us that they wanted us to address pension issues and to remain competitive."
The settlement reached addresses both the issue of pension and competitiveness. "In addition, the third year salary and long service increment will put us at 90 per cent of the Ontario Prairie Average, which is a reasonable position across Western Canada."
Mowat said that pensions in all sectors are experiencing difficulties because of the economic downturn and that the emphasis in the past has been salary increases. "This agreement goes a long way to ensure that after years of dedication to patients, nurses can retire."
The last agreement expires on September 30,2009. This agreement will expires March 31,2013.
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