As part of ongoing work to address recruitment and retention challenges in health care, your bargaining committee renewed or negotiated new provisions in the 2022-2025 Facilities Subsector collective agreement to better support existing workers, create more career-laddering opportunities and attract new workers to occupations facing severe shortages.
Here’s the list of new and renewed measures in the contract that focus on improving retention and recruitment:
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Recruitment and Retention Working Group Continues - Established in 2018, the work of this tripartite working group of representatives of the Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA), employers and the government will continue its work to better recruit and retain workers to build a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce.
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Trainer/Mentor Program Assessment - A working group has been struck to assess the feasibility of creating new positions for Facilities members to lead the training and mentoring of new employees.
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Health Career Access Program (HCAP) Renewed - Launched in 2020, the HCAP has been renewed by health employers to provide paid work and training for up to 3,000 care aides in each year of the current FBA agreement in both facilities and community health settings.
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FBA Education Fund Expanded - Since it was bargained for in 2006, the FBA Education Fund has provided $15.5 million in education funding to about 4,000 members, and in this agreement it was boosted by 50 per cent to $4.5 million over the life of the contract.
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New Joint Union-Management Human Resources Forum - The Provincial Health and Human Resources Coordination Centre, along with the FBA and other health care bargaining associations, will participate in a consultation forum that provides input on a host of initiatives, including better supports for workplace equity and diversity, Indigenous workers, and retention strategies and actions that address mental health and wellness.