For Immediate Release April 1, 2003
Nurses protest “unhealthy” legislation, Bill 27
Registered nurses are holding events around Alberta on April 1 to protest Bill 27, the province’s heavy-handed law that gives government unprecedented powers in setting collective agreements for health workers.
“It’s unhealthy legislation,” says UNA President Heather Smith.
“The Bill 27 Regulations released yesterday give Employers the right to go straight to the Labour Relations Board for a final ruling on contracts,” Heather Smith points out. “The LRB has unprecedented power to make rulings on agreements and even to intervene in the internal functioning of unions. Wielding this kind of power is not only unfair, it is unnecessary. We made proposals at the bargaining table just last week to adapt nurses’ agreements to the new health region bargaining unit structure. We hope to be able to negotiate agreements that work for Employees and the Health Regions.”
Nurses are holding events at their workplaces to mark the death of free collective bargaining on April 1, the day the new law comes into effect.
Nurses at the Grey Nuns Hospital in Edmonton are releasing black balloons, with copies of their collective agreements attached, to send the deceased contracts “to heaven.” Nurses at the Capital Health Link are holding a candle light vigil at 7 pm.
Nurses will be wearing black armbands or ribbons at the large university hospitals, the Foothills in Calgary and the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton.
Other nurses are publishing “obituaries” for free collective bargaining: “Died by foul play at the hands of the Government of Alberta on April 1st, 2003; the murder weapon was “Bill 27”. Left to mourn are the labour unions of Alberta, and all workers everywhere throughout Canada; also injured in the same attack was Democracy.”
Bill 27 April 1 Protest Events:
11:30-12:30 Front of the Misericordia Hospital, Edmonton—memorial picket with wreaths and signs.
Noon: Outside the Grey Nuns Hospital, Edmonton—releasing black balloons
7 pm 124 Street Plaza , Edmonton (10216-124 Street)—candlelight vigil with HealthLink and Community Health Nurses
7:30 Front of the Bonnyville Health Unit—candlelight vigil
Nurses at the University of Alberta will be wearing black ribbons all day, April 1.
In Calgary at the Foothills Medical Centre, nurses will be wearing black armbands or ribbons as a sign of mourning for free collective bargaining.
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For More Information: Heather Smith, RN & President of UNA (780) 425-1025
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