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UNA wants to get back to bargaining table, but AHS drags feet, refuses to delay layoff plan

By United Nurses of Alberta October 8, 2020 14:13 (Last updated October 8, 2020 19:04)

Having paused negotiations for a new Provincial Collective Agreement at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, United Nurses of Alberta proposed to Alberta Health Services that bargaining resume next month.

However, after UNA suggested negotiations resume on Oct. 16, 2020, AHS rejected that proposal, instead suggesting that the two bargaining teams next meet on March 31, 2021.

UNA declined the AHS position to delay negotiations until 2021, as well as an offer to delay layoffs until that date. UNA believes that any layoffs should be postponed until a new collective agreement is reached.

AHS said it will not agree to postpone layoffs until a new agreement is reached.

UNA is waiting on AHS to find a date sooner than 2021 to resume negotiations.

UNA’s Negotiations Committee will meet next week to discuss these new developments.

UNA has requested AHS provide updates regarding the status of:

  • Operational Best Practice (OBP), specifically a list of areas where changes will be made as a result of this non-evidence based program and the extent of changes already made and changes expected.
  • Contracting out of Home Care services, including nursing, palliative and pediatric care.
  • Reconfiguring services provided at smaller health care work sites. AHS had indicated that this may commence in 2020.
  • Closing acute beds as continuing care beds open. AHS indicated that this may commence in 2020.
  • Reducing clinic visits in all zones by targeting those that could move to non-hospital facilities: AHS indicated this may commence in 2020.
  • Changes to staff mix and service redesign, including changing and repurposing health care work sites, relocating services, and reducing or ceasing provision of services. AHS indicated that this may commence in 2020.

UNA has also requested an update from AHS on the details of plans to implement recommendations from the Ernst & Young Review.

Further updates will be posted on this website and on UNA’s First Class system.

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