United Nurses of Alberta is worried about the job security of frontline nurses after receiving a letter from Alberta Health Services warning the union about potential “reductions of positions” in 2024.
The Dec. 1 letter says that organizational changes could include “changes to staff mix and service redesign, contracting out, changes or repurposing of sites or relocating, reducing or ceasing the provision of services.”
Meanwhile, Alberta continues to face a province-wide shortage of nurses and temporary disruptions at health centres and hospitals due to staff shortages, said the nurses union.
The letter arrived as the preparations begin for contract bargaining for the Provincial Collective Agreement that covers UNA members employed by Alberta Health Services, Covenant Health, Lamont Health Care Centre, and The Bethany Group. The current agreement expires on March 31, 2024.
The UNA received a similar letter from Covenant Health, which operate Our Lady of the Rosary in Castor, and St. Mary’s Hospital in Camrose.
The UNA said the threat to jobs mirrors a statement by AHS in November 2019, also prior to contract negotiations, to eliminate an estimated 500 full-time equivalent registered nurse jobs.
“Sabre rattling and threats by the employers ahead of the next round of bargaining will make it more difficult to convince registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses to work in Alberta,” said UNA President Heather Smith, in a statement.
“More staff shortages will only lead to more service disruptions for patients who need care.”
Last month the province announced a mandate to streamline Alberta Health Services and create different organizations to oversee acute care, primary care, continuing care, and mental health and addictions.
A statement from Health Minister Adriana LaGrange on Tuesday said both Alberta Health and AHS expect there will be continued growth in front-line delivery positions to meet population growth and the health needs of the public.
“The premier and I have been clear: we are not anticipating job losses for frontline staff as part of our plan to refocus the health care system. Our expectation is most delivery staff will stay in Alberta Health Services under the new acute care organization,” LaGrange said.
She said as the letter from AHS indicates, there may be some changes to the union’s bargaining unit as some positions may move from AHS to one of the four organizations.
“As I have said all along, we will follow the guiding principles of supporting the workforce and transparent communications. These letters are part of this commitment. And we will continue to engage and work with our valuable workforce at every step along the way.”
David Shepherd, Alberta NDP Critic for Rural and Primary Care said he fears public health layoffs could be part of a UCP strategy to privatize healthcare.
“The UCP’s continued attacks on healthcare workers and the vital services they provide will only continue to drive nurses and doctors away from Alberta and further jeopardize the health of all Albertans,” Shepherd said in a statement.
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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