Dear Members,
We have received multiple questions from members about the Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs) for “Working Extra Shifts” and “Critical Shifts” premiums. Health PEI has confirmed that these MOAs will not be renewed after September 15th. We want to take this opportunity to share the information Health PEI provided to us.
In an email response to union partners, Health PEI stated that their commitment is to reinvest in employees through permanent and meaningful enhancements which include “creating approximately 1,500 new, permanent full-time positions through the Flexible Hiring Initiative.”
While this may sound significant, the reality is quite different. Of these 1,500 new, permanent full-time positions, only 258 were new PEI Nurses’ Union positions. Unfortunately, the much-promoted flexible hiring initiative has yet to demonstrate benefits to our members. When we cross-referenced Health PEI’s own vacancy reports with our dues list, the net gain in the nursing workforce is just 35 nurses—a number that would already include the newest UPEI graduates and IENs already on PEI.
These MOAs have served as a necessary measure to compensate nurses who have been supporting the health system by working extra shifts while vacancies remain unfilled. Instead of continuing to compensate our nurses Health PEI is increasingly relying on private agency nurses. In the past two years (June comparisons), the use of travel nurses has increased from 15 RNs per day in 2023 to 119 RNs per day in 2025, yet vacancy numbers are still climbing. The financial cost was a staggering $20.8 million in 2024, paid by PEI taxpayers. The costs in 2025 will undoubtedly be significantly higher.
Your union has been clear: the MOAs are not a fix, but until vacancies are addressed through real, sustainable recruitment and retention strategies, removing them simply places the burden back onto frontline nurses—without compensation.
We will continue to challenge information that misrepresents progress and fails to acknowledge the ongoing staffing crisis. You deserve transparency, fairness, and meaningful solutions—not misleading statistics and promises of staffing improvements.
Thank you for the exceptional work you do every day. Your dedication is what keeps our health system functioning, and we will continue to advocate strongly on your behalf.
Sincerely,
Barbara Brookins
President
Prince Edward Island Nurses’ Union
president@peinu.com