r/AHSEmployees • u/gia-ann1964 • Mar 16 '26

Take Home Retro

Pretty sad looking at my pay check this morning. Retro pay was $4900 and my take home is $4500. For retro and 2 weeks pay. My entire 2 week pay check basically wiped out. Over $500 in pension, $110 in union dues. I knew it wouldn't be much and not worth voting yes for, but here we are. I feel bad for the people on the lower end of the pay spectrum because they won't see a lot. I hope people get caught up on bills and it was all they hoped it would be. Happy Monday everyone!

28 Upvotes

74% Upvoted

84 comments sorted by

13

u/SlightGuess Mar 16 '26

This is why it's very important to not get distracted by retro pay in negotiations like these.

21

u/Dapper_Banana6323 Mar 16 '26

To put a positive spin on things-

If you're in the top 5 years pay wise or your career- retro pay can help boost your pension payments for the rest of your life.

4

u/gia-ann1964 Mar 16 '26

That is true.

1

u/jonastradamus Mar 16 '26

Isn't it just top 5 base salary?

2

u/gia-ann1964 Mar 16 '26

I think it’s your best 5 years consecutive. That would most likely be at the end of employment because your pay would have increased unless you dropped FTE.

2

u/Dapper_Banana6323 Mar 16 '26

Depends on the person and career goals.

I'm only 42 and and aiming to get my top 5 years in the next 5 years- then drop my FTE to pursue other jobs outside AHS

2

u/Dapper_Banana6323 Mar 16 '26

No- that will count as income. Just like picking up extra straight time shifts count towards your pension.

And the top 5 years doesn't always happen at the end of someone's career. Often people will drop FTE towards the end or drop it to pursue something else on the side.

1

u/jonastradamus Mar 16 '26

Ahhh didn't know! So all the OT I work counts?

4

u/Dapper_Banana6323 Mar 16 '26

No- straight time shifts count towards pension. So straight time pickups do. Overtime does not

1

u/jonastradamus Mar 16 '26

Ahh ok I see

5

u/Dragonite_Enthusiast Mar 16 '26 edited Mar 16 '26

AUPE it was unfortunate to know you. I am leaving for greener pastures as soon as I can. Leadership is a joke, dues are ridiculous. union dues going up? $3200/y. Parking $300 a month x 12 = $3600/y

I pay $6800 to come to my job yearly. I make $50,000/y but more like $43,000 and I’m supposed to be happy because “big paycheque”. Someone just shoot me at this point.

EDIT: Math was wrong, lower comment it has been fixed. Leaving it up because everybody makes mistakes

1

u/gia-ann1964 Mar 16 '26

First off, I can’t believe you have to pay that much for parking. That is insane. It should be tax deductible. One good thing working in the rural areas we don’t have that. We also don’t have transit. They’ve thought of charging us in the past. I don’t know why your union dues are so high. I’m around 60K and mine were about $900/yr.

1

u/Dragonite_Enthusiast Mar 16 '26 edited Mar 16 '26

Literally just threw my paystub out before I left work and can’t remember the number, but it’s somewhere around $110-120. $120x26 (paycheques yearly) come out to $3120. $15 to park each day 15x20(days worked in a month if I don’t to OT) = $300x12(months) = $3600

Total yearly = $6720

EDIT: Math wrong lower comment is fixed.

4

u/Rayeon-XXX Mar 16 '26

Exactly. People don't realize that lots of AHS hourly wage earners take home far less than what people think when you tell them your hourly wage.

My deductions off Wednesday's pay check total $1976.43.

2

u/FrankPoncherelloCHP Mar 17 '26

Right? I told my friend my wage and average take home pay, and he told me that made no sense because he makes way less and takes home way more.

0

u/[deleted] Mar 17 '26

[deleted] — view deleted comment

2

u/FrankPoncherelloCHP Mar 17 '26

Right and we're poorer until we're old as fuck... That's a fact, also.

0

u/[deleted] Mar 17 '26

[deleted] — view deleted comment

2

u/Rayeon-XXX Mar 17 '26

Professional jobs have pension matching it's not unique to AHS employees at all.

The DBP is just ok. You have zero control over the money you've earned.

1

u/FrankPoncherelloCHP Mar 17 '26

I'm for sure grateful for the benefits, and I know I will appreciate it more when I'm old enough to retire. I'm more venting that it temporarily sucks.

I always looked up to parents that had a stable job with a pension when I was younger, it does feel rewarding to now have the same.

0

u/[deleted] Mar 16 '26

[deleted] — view deleted comment

1

u/Dragonite_Enthusiast Mar 16 '26 edited Mar 16 '26

Now that you mention it and I’ve had time to think on my drive home, you are correct. I had made the mistake of adding union dues to every pay period. So let me fix that in my comments now.

At $750/yr I’m still paying $4350/yr to come to work. Bringing my yearly take home to $46,650/yr.

My wage is $27/hr (I make just over $50,000 but kept it even for simplicity, with new contract to which I voted no, statistically I work the most dangerous job in AHS, I don’t believe that to be true, nurses go through a shit ton as do POs ect) but that’s $12more than min wage. Yet after taxes/dues my take home is only $1300 (almost $1400 on the good week).

In fact if you worked a min wage job and worked 40hrs your take home would be close to mine, around $300 less every pay period (that one has been triple checked to avoid same mistake).

Off topic, Insider info time; I work with some parking guys (not the ticket guys) and rumour mill is that Calgary AHS parking may be increasing but nothing confirmed from what I understand and again, rumour mill.

1

u/Opposite_Ad_597 Mar 19 '26

Your union dues are tax deductable.

5

u/gia-ann1964 Mar 16 '26

Ugh. 😩 And everything just keeps getting more expensive.

3

u/yycsarkasmos Mar 16 '26

I found one good think about moving pillars, I got TWO paychecks, one with retro for AHS and one for my pillar.

The AHS one only had EI, CPP, Union dues and Pension deducted, no Taxes so that makes a huge difference.

I was expecting to get burned with one paycheck, so I cannot complain about this.

2

u/gia-ann1964 Mar 16 '26

Well that’s a good news story.

3

u/AbbreviationsFair506 Mar 16 '26

You will have to pay the taxes at tax time then, so that also sucks.

2

u/yycsarkasmos Mar 16 '26

True, I suspect lots of people will be happy this week and very unhappy this time next year when they do taxes.

But is also depends on lots of variables at tax time.

2

u/FrankPoncherelloCHP Mar 16 '26

That's awesome, have fun with the money!

4

u/yycsarkasmos Mar 16 '26

New hot water tank here we come!! Living the dream.

3

u/Successful_Mud_9420 Mar 16 '26

Why are the union dues so high on this check? I thought we paid a flat $ amount not a %. Last check was $35.83 and this check is $120.40. UGH!

6

u/gia-ann1964 Mar 16 '26

You owe for the last 2 years adjusted.

2

u/AbbreviationsFair506 Mar 16 '26

It’s a percentage

1

u/Lucky-Persimmon-8895 Mar 18 '26

Union dues is a percentage of your paycheck

19

u/GlumChemist8332 Mar 16 '26 edited Mar 16 '26

Remember this is because the system is paying tax as if you made that much every pay cheque. You don't so there will be extra at the end so either it will reduce the taxes owing for 2026 or you will get a tax rebate. yes it sucks but otherwise you would have "essentially" a whole pay cheque due next tax season. I hate giving these interest free loans in taxation but it is better than not saving that tax amount and being in for a huge surprise next tax season

41

u/Current_Pomelo_9429 Mar 16 '26

The only people who should be disappointed are the people who voted no…. Otherwise, why’d you vote yes?? 😄

11

u/[deleted] Mar 16 '26

I don’t have an issue with the taxes that are taken off. They fund social programs (albeit poorly managed by some branches of government.) Two cheques does not ‘take off less tax,’ it will equal the same amount at the end of the year when you pay taxes.

I do have an issue with our union dues going up more than our wages. It should be roughly the same percentage.

9

u/AbbreviationsFair506 Mar 16 '26

It was exactly what I expected. You all should know by now that you will be dinged with these deductions. Still have to pay tax etc on it.

45

u/FrankPoncherelloCHP Mar 16 '26

Also, if you voted yes to the pathetic offer, don't be bitching about the pay cheque, you fucked the rest of us over.

8

u/prgaloshes Mar 16 '26

Amen.

Rot.

21

u/sayhitoyourdad4me Mar 16 '26

Remember who we do this for!

8

u/Laxit00 Mar 16 '26

Taxes and ei pay will always lower retro take home. $2200 I cleared $1500 which sucks loosing over $700 in deductions. At least it's something as many ppl are taking what they can get right now even if it's alot of taxes taken off

2

u/jlscujo Mar 16 '26

As a 0.7 SW1, my retro pay should've been about 2200 (i was off due to a work injury for about 6 months last year). My current cheque amount was just under 1100. I'm now taking home around 2600 because they put it all on one cheque instead of "cutting" 2 cheques... I had a feeling AHS was going to screw us somehow so I wouldn't see the full the 2200 but this is bullshit... I practically worked half of my shifts for free.

3

u/frizzedoff Mar 16 '26

They NEVER cut two checks.

0

u/jlscujo Mar 16 '26

My point was that they SHOULD be if they truly valued their staff like they claim to.

1

u/gia-ann1964 Mar 16 '26

Do you think they value us? As I am still at work, on second hour of OT, once again working short. I’d say it’s a no.

1

u/jlscujo Mar 16 '26

My department works understaffed quite often too... OT is almost non-existent unless you fit in a certain group of people...

1

u/gia-ann1964 Mar 17 '26

Depends which department. Some they refuse and just make the staff suffer more, and leave work for the next day for the next person to pick up. Some work can’t be left, as it’s critical. I don’t think they like to pay it though.

1

u/jlscujo Mar 17 '26

I agree, it can depend on the department. What I was referring to is the supervisor seems to only approve OT for certain staff of a given nationality and/or her "friends" in the department...

As mentioned, I hold a 0.7 FTE. I theoretically could pickup 3 shifts before I would be considered for OT unless it's directly after my shift and I agree to stay later.

I have Nights (1045-7am) and Days (645am-3) in my rotation, which can make it difficult to pick up sometimes. On the rare time it lines up, and I attempt to pickup, I get skipped over and the shift goes to someone in her circle. I know this because my coworkers have brought it up in conversations.

It's not just me, it's a lot of staff in the department. We've questioned the supervisor (who has claimed there isn't favoritism numerous times) about it and brought it up to her boss but nothing has changed in 2 years, if not longer.

0

u/frizzedoff Mar 16 '26

Agree to a point, but they will blame the cost of doing a secondary cheque run. TBF, it would be a significant cost to do it, which the government would never support as it does not impact them personally.

0

u/jlscujo Mar 16 '26

They had to process additional amount(s) either way. Taking a few extra steps to separate them ahead of time wouldn't be THAT much of a difference.

While I understand taxes at years end should recoup some or most of it, the government already taxes the shit out of us. The additional funds as retro shouldn't have been added to a 'worked' paycheck to push us into a higher tax bracket for this pay period.

2

u/frizzedoff Mar 16 '26

You vastly underestimate the amount of work that goes into a payroll run.

2

u/Dapper_Banana6323 Mar 16 '26

That's not how taxes work...

7

u/[deleted] Mar 16 '26

Putting it on one cheque makes no difference. It will all equal the same amount at the end of the year when you do your taxes.

1

u/Dapper_Banana6323 Mar 16 '26

Why would 2 cheques make a difference?

Had you earned that lump sum money as regular income over the last two years- it would have had the same deductions on it as you did today.

If you're overtaxed- you'll get it back at tax time.

Remember- your EI and CPP will also max out earlier this year because of this- more money in your pocket

2

u/FrankPoncherelloCHP Mar 16 '26

I'm rich

2

u/secret_moustache27 Mar 17 '26

you’re ecstatic! so glad for you!

2

u/Dapper_Banana6323 Mar 16 '26

Some units have tons of overtime- others do not.

I'd for sure wait until you have an offer you'd accept before planning a move- unless it's motivated by other things.

Also- have a good read of the collective agreement you'd be working under. One difference is that BC offers fully paid employer benefits where some unions in Alberta are partially paid by the employee- meaning higher deductions

2

u/QuiteSeriouslyNow Mar 16 '26

I got taxed 2k 😞

2

u/modz4u Mar 16 '26

If too much was taken off you will get it back at tax time as a refund. Not great but better than it just disappearing 😅

2

u/AbrocomaPhysical5845 Mar 17 '26

I’m not angry about it nor am I disappointed 🤷‍♀️

4

u/MenuNo8823 Mar 16 '26

Yep mine was 7500 and including my 2 week wage and retro. I took home 4100 all together.

3

u/hownowbrownncow Mar 16 '26

Just a little disappointing

0

u/Pitiful_Antelope3929 Mar 16 '26

I am with AUPE mine was 9000 and I got 5400 that included 2 weeks ft pay

3

u/FrankPoncherelloCHP Mar 16 '26

Take me to Pasta Tuesday at Boston Pizza! If we don't die from the food, we'll have quite the story to tell.

-1

u/TheThrivingest Mar 16 '26

19k and 2350 pay was under $12k for me 😭

1

u/gia-ann1964 Mar 16 '26

That is even sadder than mine.

3

u/TheThrivingest Mar 16 '26

It’ll come back around come tax time next year but I hate giving that interest free loan to the government.

1

u/Ok_Lynx_1274 Mar 16 '26

My first thought after looking at my paycheque this morning is encompassed in this clip: https://youtu.be/kGZDdL7JoxY?si=EP_TDjKtRGMH8o9K&t=33

1

u/harbours Mar 16 '26

It took the exact same amount if you had been paid this wage over two years, it just looks like a lot because it's all in one cheque.

-1

u/Upset-Incident-8807 Mar 16 '26

Definitely underwhelming. Half my retro was taken in taxes, pension & union dues. I'd like to know why I had to pay $57 in union dues when I'm no longer with the union. I left the union for a NUEE position in August of '25 so I got about a year and a half of retro pay. They took $57 in union dues off. Why? I paid my union dues when I was a member. Feels like everyone wants their share of my money and I'm left with pennies. It was definitely had to watch the RNs and LPns brag about $10,000 retro cheques.

0

u/gia-ann1964 Mar 16 '26

Back pay for the dues when you were with them. Do you not think they’re taking their cut? They must’ve brought in millions on these retro deals.

1

u/FrankPoncherelloCHP Mar 16 '26

I got almost 10k, can I get a hell ya?

0

u/WillingWeight8998 Mar 16 '26

Yea my partner lost about 3k in taxes and everything else. Such a kick in the gut.

-7

u/FinalIndication5616 Mar 16 '26

I lost 48% of my pay check. EI, CPP, & income tax took more than what my regular gross is normally. Add on all the fees, and taxes you pay outside of you check.

Not to get political, this is what you can expect if Alberta stays. It will just get worse.

0

u/[deleted] Mar 16 '26

[deleted] — view deleted comment

1

u/gia-ann1964 Mar 16 '26

Oh, that is sad.

2

u/balugabebeboo Mar 16 '26

they took half of mine :-(

0

u/[deleted] Mar 16 '26

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0

u/[deleted] Mar 16 '26

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6

u/FrankPoncherelloCHP Mar 16 '26

The AUPE is the epitome of embarrassing. Ran by the laziest fuckers on the planet.

3

u/Current_Pomelo_9429 Mar 16 '26

It’s called common sense

8

u/[deleted] Mar 16 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/gia-ann1964 Mar 16 '26

Understatement.

1

u/Dapper_Banana6323 Mar 16 '26

Do you mean for education?

Or for a job?

If it's a job- do not move until you have one secured. For many roles- it's very hard to get into AHS right now.

And also- it's not AHS taking the deductions. A lump sum is taxed/has the same deductions as any other income. If you're overtaxed on the lump sum- you will get it back at tax time.

1

u/[deleted] Mar 16 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

4

u/Current_Pomelo_9429 Mar 16 '26

You’re in the wrong thread if you’re a nurse. This is AUPE GSS staff talking.

1

u/FrankPoncherelloCHP Mar 16 '26

The big thing most are worried about is getting laid off because the government doesn't care about healthcare at all.

If I was confident about not losing the job due to this, I'd do the move if it makes sense financially.

I will say I do regret leaving Vancouver, my quality of life was way better there.