Picketers outside CRH -- LNN

By Lethbridge News Now with files from The Canadian Press

UPDATED: Alberta health-care workers hold wildcat strike at locations across the province

Oct 26, 2020 | 9:10 AM

EDMONTON, AB. — The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees says front-line hospital workers have walked off the job this morning, October 26, in locations across the province.

Guy Smith, president of the union, said in a news release that members are trying to defend jobs and protect the public health-care system.

He says the recent announcement of 11,000 jobs being cut in the middle of a global pandemic was the last straw for already-frustrated members.

Smith says nursing care and support workers decided today there was no other option to back their position.

The union represents about 58,000 health-care workers, although it wasn’t immediately clear how many of those workers have walked off the job.

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Smith says the workers are committed to making sure patients remain safe during any dispute.

HSAA news release

Alberta Health Services (AHS) has since issued a response to the strike.

(Alberta Health Services news release)

As stated by Alberta Health Services, all AHS sites remain open at this time. Alberta’s Minister of Finance and President of the Treasury Board, Travis Toews, issued the following statement.

“I’ve been aware of a number of illegal strikes taking place in hospitals and health care settings across the province. Government’s primary concern is ensuring the health and wellbeing of patients, which has been put at risk this morning,” he said.

“Alberta spends 42% of its budget on health – which has increased 17% since 2015. Health spending is at record highs and is expected to be $20.9 billion this year – this does not include $769 million earmarked specifically for COVID-19.”

Toews said AHS is “taking immediate action with the Alberta Labour Relations Board to end this illegal activity”.

He added that anyone “involved in this illegal action will be held accountable”.

“My expectation is that all unions respect the bargaining process, stop putting Albertans’ safety at risk and abide by the law.”

AUPE comments to LNN on health care strike

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