Alberta Health Services planning to lay off hundreds of nurses starting in 2020

EDMONTON, AB – The United Nurses of Alberta says hundreds of registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses will be losing their jobs in the next several years.

A letter from Alberta Health Services, sent to senior leadership with the UNA, says AHS is planning to eliminate an “estimated” 500 full-time equivalent registered nurse jobs over the next three years.

A release from the UNA says the plans were disclosed in advance of bargaining for the UNA’s 2020 Provincial Collective Agreement “so the union would have time to absorb the information and respond accordingly.”

“From the tone of what we were told, we believe this is only the first wave of layoffs affecting RNs represented by UNA,” Heather Smith, UNA president, said in a statement.

She adds “There are also clear indications that AHS plans to shift many of the costs of health care onto Albertans who require treatment.”

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According to the letter, AHS lead negotiator Raelene Fitz says AHS will be proceeding with an attrition-only approach until March 30, 2020. Beginning April 1, AHS says they will use all options under the collective bargaining agreement to implement OBP (operational best practice).

The letter adds AHS is also considering contracting out services, such as home care services including palliative care, nursing and pediatric.

“AHS will continue to consider all options available to meet our organizational needs including changes to staff mix, service design including changes and repurposing of sites, relocating services, reducing or ceasing the provision of services,” Fitz said in the letter.

AHS officials were scheduled to meet bargaining representatives from other health care unions today.

A link to the letter is posted below.

https://www.una.ab.ca/files/uploads/2019/11/AHS_Letter_to_David_Harrigan.pdf

LNN affiliate CHAT News has reached out to the United Nurses of Alberta and AHS for additional comments.

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