Last Wednesday, AUPE announced that nursing care workers voted 98% in favour of strike action, an overwhelming majority of their members.
These workers include Locals 041, 043, 044, 045 & 046 members at Alberta Health Services, the four new pillars of health care (Recovery Alberta, Primary Care Alberta, Assisted Living Alberta), and Allen Gray Continuing Care Centre. The earliest AUPE could serve strike notice is this coming Monday, November 17.
“Health care workers have made their democratic voice heard loud and clear,” said Chris Gallaway, executive director of Friends of Medicare. “With long hours, regular short staffing and an ever-growing scope of practice, these hard-working nursing care members have said clearly that they are tired of being asked to do more for less.”
Unfortunately, since announcing the results of their strike vote, the Minister of Finance has taken an aggressive approach in his public statements. There has yet to be any reported progress at the bargaining table that would avert a strike next week.
“At a time when workforce retention and recruitment is our biggest issue in health care, the fact that so many of our valuable health care workers are feeling disrespected and dissatisfied should concern us all. Alberta simply can’t afford to lose any more of these crucial workers.” said Gallaway. “It’s time for our provincial government to listen to the front lines. The way to avoid any potential job action in health care is to get serious about improving work conditions, which ultimately are also the care conditions we as Albertans experience.”
AUPE isn’t the only health care union facing bargaining struggles provincially. Earlier this fall HSAA announced that, with a record turnout, their members sent a clear message by voting to reject a tentative agreement with Alberta Health Services and other provincial health agencies and corporations.
Friends of Medicare continues call on the provincial government to work to rebuild our health care by creating a workforce plan that prioritizes retention and recruitment. Albertans are encouraged to write to the provincial government and their local MLAs by clicking here.
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