The Article 17 Process

This page is intended to offer an explanation of the application process for education funds under Article 17 (Leave – Education) of the HSPBA collective agreement.

What does Article 17 (Leave – Education) of the HSPBA collective agreement say?

The relevant part of Article 17 reads:

“[E]xpenses associated with [education] leave will be subject to budgetary and operational restraints, and prior approval of the Employer. Such expenses will not exceed $1,000 per employee per agreement year.”

All regular (full- or part-time) employee are eligible for this funding. But for years, employers have routinely turned down these requests, often citing budget constraints. This practice is not based in fact – employer budgets provide for this money – and it leaves less money overall for professional development.

If you’re a casual employee, you are not eligible for Article 17 education funding but you are eligible to apply to HSA’s Professional Enhancement Bursary.

How do I ask the employer for my Article 17 education funding?

For the sake of member career development, and for the sake of a stronger health care system, we need every dollar available for professional development to be put to use. The employer needs to be held accountable for paying their fair share.

You should request your Article 17 education funding by email so that there is a record of your request (as this will be helpful if you need to file a grievance). If your employer requires you to submit a form as a part of your request for funding under Article 17, please attach a copy of that form to your email to your employer.

Make your email request to your immediate supervisor or manager. Your email should contain information about the professional development opportunity – including the cost of the training – and end with a request that the employer provide you with funding under Article 17.

If the employer says no, how do I start a grievance?

If the employer says no, doesn’t offer to pay their fair share (e.g. they offer to pay only $350 towards a $900 course), or ignores your request then you will need to file a grievance.

Filing a grievance means that you are asserting your right to the funds that you are entitled to as part of your collectively-bargained contract.

To start the process, please reach out to the steward team at your worksite. Your steward will need a copy of your email requesting funding, the employer’s response, and information about the course you plan to take. If your worksite does not have a steward, please contact @email for help.

Your union expects that grievances on this matter will be successful, and while it will take time and effort to follow these steps, millions in untapped money will become available to support professional development and improve delivery of public health care.

We also hope that, after sending a strong signal to the employer on this matter, we will see an end to the practice of routinely holding back education funding, resulting in faster delivery of support from both the employer and the union.