The United Nurses of Alberta continues to hold firm in its position that Licensed Practical Nurses deserve to be recognized for their increased role in Direct Nursing. UNA recognizes that many LPNs are now working beyond the function of Auxiliary Nursing and are now providing Direct Nursing.
After being approached by LPNs wanting to change their official designation to Direct Nursing, UNA applied to the Labour Relations Board (LRB) for these changes at five worksites across Alberta. In response to UNA supporting LPNs at the LRB the union representing most LPNs, the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, has released a number of inaccurate
statements about UNA.
Through selective editing, AUPE released a video that attempted to make it appear as if UNA President Heather Smith was speaking against increased LPN care at a June 25, 2010 rally at Youville Home in St. Albert. In reality, UNA was challenging Covenant Health's decision to reduce the number of Registered Nurses below what is required by law. Heather Smith did not mention LPNs in her speech.
"Nursing takes a strong team of RNs, LPNs and aides – in an appropriate mix. Removing RNs almost completely from the equation is NOT the formula for best care for patients."
In a letter to Covenant Health, Heather Smith reinforced this position:
“We are concerned Covenant is reducing the qualification mix of skilled care providers to reduce costs in the care of patients."
Despite their recent statement to their members, what AUPE actually says to the Labour Relations Board is quite different. Direct quotes from AUPEs submission to the Labour Relations Board (September 22, 2008):
"LPNs are clearly subordinate to RNs." "RNs are above LPNs…"
We believe that the position AUPE has taken conflicts with the idea of nursing professionals as a team and the reality that nursing care is a collaborative practice shared between Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses, and Licensed Practical Nurses.
UNA strongly believes that it is unhelpful to pit one nurse against another. UNA respects the work of all nursing professionals and understands that a strong team with a balanced mix of skills can provide the best nursing care for patients, residents, and clients.
July 22, 2010
UNA stands up for Licensed Practical Nurses at Labour Relations Board
The United Nurses of Alberta is disappointed in a recent decision by the Labour Relations Board (LRB) dismissing a reconsideration that Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) should be classified in a different bargaining unit category.
Alberta's Labour Code currently lists four functional health care bargaining unit categories that include Support Staff, Auxiliary Nursing, Direct Nursing, and Para-Medicine paramedical technical and professional. LPNs have traditionally been classified as Auxiliary Nurses, although in reality their duties and functions at many sites have evolved to include Direct Nursing.
Under the same statute, UNA represents most Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses, and Student Nurses, whose duties involve Direct Nursing. In the unique situations where an RNs or RPNs duties does not include Direct Nursing, they are included in one of the other three bargaining unit categories. For example, if an RN is hired to be a technician in a lab, she may be found to be performing
paramedical duties, not Direct Nursing.
UNA recognizes that the role of an LPN has evolved since the four categories were originally created and that many LPNís are working beyond the function of Auxiliary Nursing. In fact, many LPNs now provide Directing Nursing. In January 2009, UNA appealed the LRB to categorize LPNs as providing Direct Nursing care at six different sites - the Good Samaritan, Shepardís Care Foundation, David Thompson Regional Health Authority, East Central Health Authority, Bonnyville Health Centre, and Covenant Health.
The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE), the union representing most LPNs, and the affected employers applied to the LRB for the case to be summarily dismissed before UNA could present evidence proving how LPN's duties and responsibilities have evolved beyond Auxiliary Nursing. They were successful, and the LRB dismissed UNAs application. UNA appealed to the LRB to reconsider their decision, and this week the LRB dismissed UNA's reconsideration.
UNA is disappointed that both AUPE and the employers refuse to recognize that LPNs at many sites across Alberta now have much broader duties and responsibilities than when the original four categories of bargaining units were created. It is unfortunate that while LPNs have evolved into a self-regulating profession, their union and employer remain satisfied to categorize them as equivalents to untrained, unregulated staff.
It appears that the LRB has taken the position that all LPNs are always in Auxiliary Nursing, but at the same time, not all RNs and RPNs are always in Direct Nursing.
UNA continues to be contacted by LPNs seeking a correction in their bargaining unit placement and are reviewing the latest LRB decision to determining what option may or may not exist. |
