Alberta health workers approve four-year contract with wage increases

A broad group of Alberta health professionals, including frontline paramedics, has voted to ratify a new four-year contract with Alberta Health Services. The Health Sciences Association of Alberta says roughly two-thirds of participating members supported the mediator-recommended agreement after a weeklong vote.

The deal provides general wage increases totalling 12 per cent over the life of the contract. Several classifications will also receive additional one-time adjustments to bring salaries in line with market conditions. The union says the agreement marks progress for workers who have faced significant staffing and workload pressures across the province’s health system.

Alberta’s government says the settlement will support recruitment and retention efforts at a time when EMS response times and rural staffing levels remain key concerns for communities in both Alberta and neighbouring regions such as northeast British Columbia. Finance Minister Nate Horner says he is encouraged by the result and expects the agreement to help stabilize the workforce.

The contract covers approximately 22,000 specialized health workers, including physiotherapists, addictions counsellors, occupational therapists and other technical staff who support clinical operations in emergency services, acute care and rehabilitation programs.