Members of the Health Sciences Association of Alberta rallied outside of Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge on Oct. 2, 2025. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge healthcare workers in ‘preparation mode’ for potential strike

Oct 2, 2025 | 1:21 PM

Around 700 healthcare workers in Lethbridge could soon be hitting the picket lines.

Dozens of members of the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) rallied outside of Chinook Regional Hospital on Thursday, Oct. 2.

Rally events were also held in communities across the province, including Calgary, Edmonton, Stony Plain, St. Albert, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Medicine Hat and Red Deer.

HSAA President Mike Parker says their membership is feeling overwhelmed.

“Unsustainable workloads, constant short-staffing and severe burnout are driving our members out of the healthcare system and out of Alberta, creating a crisis in our hospitals and health centres,” says Parker.

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The HSAA represents more than 22,000 specialized healthcare professionals across Alberta, including paramedics, diagnostic imaging specialists, mental health and addiction counsellors, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, dieticians, social workers, and over 200 other professionals.

In late August and early September, nearly 60 per cent of members who voted rejected the Alberta Government’s latest contract proposal.

“We’re asking for the support we need to deliver the care we deserve,” says Parker, “And that offer was not it.”

Parker did not elaborate on the specifics of the offer, but says the government needs to provide wages and working conditions that are competitive globally.

He says a strike is possible if a better proposal is not issued soon.

“Strike action would impact every single Albertan in this province, whether it’s themselves or someone they love. Albertans would see worsening delays at every single step – I’m talking EMS delays, diagnostic delays, surgical delays, treatment delays. We’ve got half a million people now on wait lists in this province, and it will get worse,” says Parker.

A spokesperson for the Alberta Government provided the following statement to LNN:

“We are aware of today’s HSAA rallies in several communities across Alberta. Alberta Health Services and the HSAA remain at the bargaining table. We are committed to reaching a fair and fiscally responsible agreement that supports health-care workers and protects taxpayers,” reads the government’s statement.

Members of the Health Sciences Association of Alberta rallied outside of Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge on Oct. 2, 2025. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

The Lethbridge Raging Grannies and Friends of Medicare showed their support for rallying HSAA members. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)