AUPE - LPN Contract is Up

Dela RN · Apr 3, 2012

Do LPNs not get paid OT anymore? When did this happen?

What's the issue with UNE's that you would like fixed?

lilaclover · Apr 3, 2012

I'm interested to see what happens as well. Really hoping we see the wage increase we deserve that reflects our scope here in Alberta.

lilaclover · Apr 3, 2012

However I must add that I for one certainly don't want to be working any OT :zzzzz hahaha

Fiona59 · Apr 3, 2012

Do LPNs not get paid OT anymore? When did this happen?
What's the issue with UNE's that you would like fixed?

A couple of contracts back, AUPE was told that all part time nurses had to lose their slash days that paid OT. AUPE was the first up to negotiate that year and fell for it. It was never raised when UNA negotiated. So the only time part time LPNs can claim their OT is when they work past the end of their shift or on their designated weekends off. It's upset a lot of part time LPNs that they basically work all their picked up shifts at straight time, while the RN next to them who has also picked up a shift will only do so on their slash days for double time.

UNE's are assigned LPN or RN shifts. It cuts back on the number of available shifts for casual and part time LPNs who can not pick up an RN shift (well officially, we all know that Staffing will sub us in when they can't find an RN on most units).

joanna73, BSN, RN · Apr 3, 2012

That's very unfair that you aren't paid OT for any picked up shifts. As an RN, if we are requested to work a shift that hasn't been voluntarily picked up, it's OT. The same should apply for LPNs.

flyingchange · Apr 3, 2012

When I was a UNE I was mandated as supernumerary - I am surprised and confused that they are allowed to fill nurse shifts on your unit! I hope this issue gets addressed in your next contract.

Dela RN · Apr 3, 2012

A couple of contracts back, AUPE was told that all part time nurses had to lose their slash days that paid OT. AUPE was the first up to negotiate that year and fell for it. It was never raised when UNA negotiated. So the only time part time LPNs can claim their OT is when they work past the end of their shift or on their designated weekends off. It's upset a lot of part time LPNs that they basically work all their picked up shifts at straight time, while the RN next to them who has also picked up a shift will only do so on their slash days for double time.

So basically LPNs don't have "x" days or designated days off where you would be first on the list to be offered double time to come in if the need for nurses arises on the floor?

UNE's are assigned LPN or RN shifts. It cuts back on the number of available shifts for casual and part time LPNs who can not pick up an RN shift (well officially, we all know that Staffing will sub us in when they can't find an RN on most units).

So UNE get treated like a staff member who have their own patients and their own shifts even though they can't do everything? Seems like a waste of resources that will increase burn out. They should not be given any LPN or RN shifts. Their shifts should be their own and in addition to the nurses who already have to work... I don't think this is an AUPE issue though.

That's very unfair that you aren't paid OT for any picked up shifts. As an RN, if we are requested to work a shift that hasn't been voluntarily picked up, it's OT. The same should apply for LPNs.

Umm not exactly true?? I know I have been asked to work a shift I haven't picked up for straight time before. Scheduling has a list they are suppose to go through. If everyone says no to straight time and the unit still needs people than it might go to overtime. I'm a RN and I definitely don't always get OT for shifts that I didn't voluntarily pick up. Maybe it depends on where the workplace??

joanna73, BSN, RN · Apr 3, 2012

No it isn't supposed to depend on the workplace, but managers will try to play games and not pay you the overtime. Review your UNA Collective Agreement. It stipulates that, "overtime is all time authorized by the employer and worked by an employee in excess of 7.75 hours per day OR on scheduled days of rest." (P. 13). Meaning that if it isn't a shift you voluntarily picked up, the employer must pay you overtime. They all know this, but many hope you don't know your collective agreement. You want me to work on my x day? Overtime. Period.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Apr 3, 2012

Now, if they have a list of people to ask, every employer is going to try to get people to work for straight time first. You have the right to say, "No. Call me back if you really need for OT." Many times, you'll end up getting the call back. We are always short, so I learned my Collective Agreement early on.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Apr 3, 2012

You have to know that the Employer will play nice for the next three weeks, until the election results are in. Then I would say all bets are off. It won't matter which of those... ummm :idea: ... women is premier. They'll immediately shift gears and play hard ball. Because health care providers don't have the right to strike in Alberta they know they have the upper hand. Be prepared for a very long negotiating period. If Wildrose wins the election it'll take them some time to get up to speed and although the government of the day insists vehemently that they are not involved in contract negotiations we all know that for the bald-faced lie it is. And with Danielle Smith strongly in favour of privatization, negotiations are going to be a pitched battle. I think it might get rather ugly, but time will tell.

Fiona59 · Apr 3, 2012

When I was a UNE I was mandated as supernumerary - I am surprised and confused that they are allowed to fill nurse shifts on your unit! I hope this issue gets addressed in your next contract.

It's pretty much the same all over the hospital I work in. UNE's are permitted a maximum of four patients "when they are up to speed". I've seen assignments gone over to find the "easiest walkie/talkies" to give to them. This results in a workload from hell for some of the floor staff. I'm not talking LTC, but Active Treatment.

I've watched managers scrabble around their schedules finding shifts for them to fill and they wind up with the vacant PN lines. Then they turn around to figure out how to give the UNE's their UNA days when they are entitlted to them.

It's all about incurring as little damage to their unit budgets as possible. Managers don't care if you have five "heavy" patients as long as they can pass of the UNEs onto someone else.