Alberta health-care workers walk off job
ED MONTON • Hospital and other health- care workers across Alberta walked off the job Monday to protest recent cuts by the United Conservative government during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Guy Smith, president of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, said in a news release that members are trying to defend jobs and protect the public healthcare system.
“Anger has been building among members for months,” said Smith. “The recent announcement by Health Minister Tyler Shandro of 11,000 jobs being cut in the middle of a global deadly pandemic was the last straw for them.”
Earlier this month, Shandro announced the government would be cutting up to 11,000 health jobs to save money during the pandemic, but he said nurses and frontline clinical staff would not be affected. Some of the cuts are to come from further contracting out of laundry and lab services.
Shandro’s office declined to comment on the walkouts, noting Finance Minister Travis Toews and Alberta Health Services would provide information.
Toews said in a statement later Monday that he’s aware of “a number of illegal strikes taking place in hospitals and health-care settings across the province.”
The government’s primary concern, he said, is ensuring the health and well-being of patients.
“Alberta Health Services is taking immediate action with the Alberta Labour Relations Board ( to) end this illegal activity,” said Toews. “Those 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.”
The labour relations board confirmed a hearing would be held later Monday.
AHS, which delivers health care in the province, said it’s also responding to the walkout in their facilities.
“We are doing all we can to address any interruptions to patient care caused by this illegal job action,” said a statement. “Our focus is on ensuring patients continue to receive the care and treatment they need.
“AHS is enacting contingency plans to redeploy nonunion staff, including managers, wherever possible to cover for missing staff.”
The statement said some surgeries and ambulatory care clinics were being delayed due to the strike. A spokesman later confirmed this is in addition to the elective surgeries already postponed in Edmonton late last week due to COVID-19.
Opposition NDP Leader Rachel Notley said the “wildcat strikes” across Alberta are deeply concerning.
“Like all Albertans, our caucus believes patient safety must always be the top priority,” she said in a statement. Notley added, however, that the proposal to privatize the work of 11,000 workers in the middle of a pandemic will result in poorer care for Albertans.