PEI UPSE is pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached with Health PEI to provide additional premiums for LPNs, RCWs or PCWs working in 24/7 bed-based care who are able to take on additional work to help support the healthcare system through the current staffing shortages in the following areas:
i. Acute Care and Hospital Services. Applies to all inpatient and bed-based care areas including the ED for the following facilities CHO, WH, PCH, QEH, KCMH and SH. This would NOT apply to
Ambulatory Care areas.
ii. Mental Health & Addictions (MH&A). Applies to all MH&A bed-based care facilities, including the Transitions unit at PATF.
iii. Long-Term Care (LTC). Applies to all LTC 24/7 bed-based care facilities and operations. These premiums will be in place commencing December 1, 2022 and ending April 1, 2023.
These incentives will be offered out to LPN, RCW or PCW staff in the 24/7 bed-based care operations. Incentives will be offered to LPN, RCW or PCW staff in order of priority beginning with 1) full-time (FT) staff, 2) part-time (PT) staff, and 3) casual staff.
These premiums will be in place commencing December 1, 2022 and ending June 30, 2023. These incentives will be offered out to LPN, RCW or PCW staff in the 24/7 bed-based care operations.
Incentives will be offered to LPN, RCW or PCW staff in order of priority beginning with 1) full-time (FT) staff, 2) part-time (PT) staff, and 3) casual staff. Eligible members will receive retroactive payments for shifts already worked during the period covered by this agreement.
Permanent & Temporary Employees: Permanent & Temporary Employees (both FT and PT) who work more than their Permanent/Temporary Employment Guarantee (FTE of their position) shall be paid a premium equivalent to one half (0.5x) their regular rate of pay for all extra hours worked to fill shift vacancies. So, assuming regular rates of pay:
– for FT employees this will be equivalent to 2.0 x times their regular rate of pay.
– for PT employees it will be equivalent to 1.5 x times their regular rate of pay.
This premium will be paid in addition to any other rate, benefit, or premium contained in the collective agreement (including but not limited to the overtime rate, and nights and weekend premiums) to which the Employee would be otherwise eligible.
Casual Employees: Casual Employees who work more than 50% of FTE hours during a pay period shall be entitled to a premium equivalent to one half (0.5x) their regular rate of pay for hours worked in excess of the 50% FTE hours threshold. This communication serves as notice to eligible LPN, RCW or PCW staff regarding the additional premiums available during the period of December 1, 2022 to April 1, 2022.
UPSE appreciates your patience in waiting for this announcement. We have been working with Health PEI and advocating on your behalf to have this incentive approved since December 2022. These additional premiums will enable you to sign up for extra shifts over and above your regular FTE hours. UPSE reminds you to consider your work-life balance while making the decision to take on extra shifts. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact UPSE at 902-892-5335 or email peiupse@peiupse.ca
Please see Frequently Asked Questions: (here)
Please see the Memorandum of Agreement: (here)
For clarity, should any disagreements occur between the language of this letter or FAQ and the Memorandum of Agreement with UPSE the Memorandum of Agreement shall prevail.