Alberta nurses raise concerns over members rights following Recovery Alberta announcement

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A union representing greater than 30,000 nurses in Alberta says the federal government’s new mental-health and addictions company will disrupt present bargaining with Alberta Well being Providers.

In a press launch on Friday, the United Nurses Affiliation raised considerations about how Restoration Alberta will influence the current and future rights of nurses protected beneath the present Letter of Understanding #4. The letter states that affected workers have the appropriate to voluntarily switch to Restoration Alberta or stay at AHS, and take vacancies beneath Article 15 of the letter, amongst different rights. 

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“Previous Alberta Labour Relations Board rulings imply that when work is transferred from one employer to a different — as would be the case when affected AHS work is transferred to Restoration Alberta — the worker turns into the worker of the brand new employer as if no change had occurred except the events to the settlement had negotiated separate provisions within the occasion of a switch of companies. In reality, UNA and AHS have negotiated separate provisions within the occasion of a switch of companies,” stated the press launch. 

Heather Smith, president of the UNA, stated in keeping with AHS, 3,200 nurses might be impacted and with Restoration Alberta being the primary of 4 businesses which are being developed beneath the brand new restructuring, she is worried about what this may imply for the way forward for the workforce if their rights aren’t revered.

Smith stated one other concern of theirs is AHS’s lack of acknowledge of the letter of understanding, and the uncertainty this brings.

“Our concern is with the potential menace that our members’ rights aren’t being revered and what is going to occur with future organizations to be created. It’s not simply concerning the 3,200 impacted at present — it’s by way of the longer term adjustments that will comply with,” Smith stated.

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On Tuesday the province introduced Restoration Alberta, a brand new company that may totally soak up mental-health and habit duties at present beneath AHS as a part of a large restructuring. A part of the restructuring will embrace transferring workers who’re at present beneath the mental-health and addictions umbrella at AHS to the brand new company. 

Premier Danielle Smith assured Albertans who’re at present accessing care via AHS habit and psychological well being that their companies will nonetheless be accessible the identical manner.

“I need you to know that we’re working carefully with the transition workforce at AHS to make sure the transition towards Restoration Alberta is orderly and seamless,” the premier stated. 

In a letter to Psychological Well being and Addictions Minister Dan Williams, UNA president Smith known as on him to be conscious of any future laws which may override the present Letter of Understanding #4, which she fears may put an finish to some rights of nurses.

“There’s a widespread notion amongst nurses that they’re disrespected by authorities and employers. Arbitrary removing of their negotiated rights of their collective settlement could be extensively considered as a matter of profound disrespect of front-line nurses and their career.”

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Hunter Baril, press secretary to the Minister of Psychological Well being and Habit, stated in an emailed assertion to Postmedia that the considerations raised by the UNA are at present being reviewed by AHS labour relations.

“Each single frontline employee, whatever the union they’re a member of, is a precious member of the health-care system and we need to hear from them. The announcement of Restoration Alberta gives a transparent path ahead for well being system refocusing, whereas making certain we’ve the subsequent three months to seek the advice of with employees and guarantee a profitable transition earlier than a single workers member strikes to the brand new provincial well being company,” Baril stated.

“Relating to the particular considerations raised by UNA this morning, AHS labour relations is at present reviewing the letter and might be working with the union to make sure a productive path ahead.”

ctran@postmedia.com

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