Changes are coming to how full time vacation is administered.  Shortly after the elections, a letter of understanding was discovered that dates back to 2010. This signed letter of understanding outlines an agreement between the hospital and the union to move from the current system of vacation accrual to a bank system.

So, what does that mean? Well currently vacation is accrued at a percentage rate per pay and is only available to the employee as it accrues or builds up. The bank system would see a full-time employee’s total amount of vacation be deposited all at once for the year and then the employee can draw from that bank over the year.

This system is widely used and long overdue. Employees will no longer have to wait for vacation hours to build up before taking time off. This letter was tabled at the last Labour Management meeting in June and was well received. Human resources and pay roll would like to begin work this fall with a goal of having the system implemented for 2019.   We will keep you posted on the progress of this implementation that will provide full-time staff with ease for vacation planning which also helps part-time and casual staff plan their lives better. Stay tuned.

In solidarity,

Robert Beveridge RPN

President CUPE local 929/929-1