The Association of Allied Health Professionals has resumed contract talks with the provincial government with the help of a conciliator.

The two sides have been bargaining for over a year, but a few sticking points remain.

AAHP President Gordon Piercey says among the sticking points is compensation for its members.

He says in 2015 government brought in a job evaluation system that created disparities in pay for his members. That disparity, says Piercey has only widened over time.

That’s causing real problems in terms of retention with many professionals being lured to the private system. And not all are leaving the province.

“Sometimes it means they’re moving to the Shoppers Drug Mart down the street from their house,” says Piercey. And it’s not just pharmacists who are being lured away, he says, psychologists, sociologists, occupational therapists and those working in rehab are all being pursued by the private sector.