Retention Incentives Announced for Nursing, Health Care & Related Professions

Today, the government is finally announcing financial incentives that are intended to address the ongoing staffing shortages in our health care sector. It is our understanding that these financial incentives will be offered to all those employed in nursing or health care and related positions in the acute, continuing care, disability support and group home sector. If you work in any of these areas, please review the information below and speak with your manager to confirm your eligibility:

NURSING:
1. Nurses who have been employed on a permanent basis since Jan. 1st, 2023 will receive a $10,000 “thank you” bonus (prorated based on designation);
2. Nurses who are employed on a permanent basis and agree to sign a two-year contract to keep them in their position will receive an additional $10,000 (prorated based on designation);
3. Nurses who are not currently permanent employees but agree to come back for two years and to take a publicly funded position by March 31st, 2023 will receive $10,000 (prorated based on designation).

HEALTH CARE & RELATED:
1. Health care workers who have been employed on a permanent basis since Jan. 1st, 2023 will receive a $5,000 “thank you” bonus (prorated based on designation).

A list of eligible classifications is available here.

We are pleased to see government take action to recognize the invaluable contributions these workers have made – and will continue to make – to our public health care system. However, we are disappointed that not all workers are being treated equally under this program. We will continue to pressure government to improve this program to ensure all health care and public sector workers are shown the respect and recognition they deserve.

It is important to note that these retention incentives are separate and apart from ongoing collective bargaining for the nursing bargaining unit. Similarly, our health care bargaining unit’s collective agreement expires in October 2023, and the union will be prepared to begin bargaining at that time.

We will share additional details of this program as they are made available to us. If you have questions about your eligibility for this program, please contact your manager or HR department.