HSA to challenge employers failing to honour professional funding commitments

Changes to application process for members will help free up more money

With employers continuing to hold back millions in professional development funding contractually owed to health science professionals, HSA is introducing new steps to the application process that will help ensure members get more funding to advance their careers and build a stronger health care system.

Under Article 17 of the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association collective agreement, health authorities and other employers are required to provide employees seeking professional development with as much as $1000 in each year of the collective agreement. 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.

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. 

HSA has a plan to change this, but it will require some extra work for both the union and the members.

HSA will be launching the new Professional Enhancement Bursary in late October. Members will be notified in advance of the opening of the fund, and the application process will be as follows:

• Members seeking professional development funding will be required to approach the employer first, by following the application process for Education funds under Article 17.
• If any employer refuses to provide funding to a member under Article 17, the union will support a member-driven grievance.
• While the grievance is proceeding, the union will provide eligible applicants with the funding you have requested from your employer under the collective agreement. Your professional development can proceed while the union works on your behalf to recover the money from the employer.

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