New health agency may affect nurses' rights: union
An association representing more than 30,000 nurses in Alberta says the government's new mental-health and addictions agency will disrupt current bargaining with Alberta Health Services.
In a news release Friday, the United Nurses Association raised concerns about how Recovery Alberta will impact the rights of nurses protected under the current Letter of Understanding #4.
The letter states that affected employees have the right to voluntarily transfer to Recovery Alberta or remain at AHS, and take vacancies under Article 15 of the letter, among other rights.
“Past Alberta Labour Relations Board rulings mean that when work is transferred from one employer to another — as will be the case when affected AHS work is transferred to Recovery Alberta — the employee becomes the employee of the new employer as if no change had occurred unless the parties to the agreement had negotiated separate provisions in the event of a transfer of services. In fact, UNA and AHS have negotiated separate provisions in the event of a transfer of services,” said the news release.
Heather Smith, president of the UNA, said according to AHS, 3,200 nurses will be impacted and with Recovery Alberta being the first of four agencies that are being developed under the restructuring, she is concerned about the future of the workforce if their rights are not respected.
“Our concern is with the potential threat that our members' rights aren't being respected and what will happen with future organizations to be created. It's not just about the 3,200 impacted today — it's in terms of the future changes that may follow,” Smith said.
On Tuesday the province announced Recovery Alberta, a new agency that will fully absorb mental health and addiction duties currently under AHS as part of a massive restructuring.
Part of the restructuring will include transferring staff who are currently under the mental-health and addictions umbrella at AHS to the new agency.
In a letter to Mental Health and Addictions Minister Dan Williams, UNA president Smith called on him to be mindful of any future legislation that might override the current Letter of Understanding #4, which she fears could put an end to some nurses' rights.
“There is a widespread perception among nurses that they are disrespected by government and employers. Arbitrary removal of their negotiated rights in their collective agreement would be widely viewed as a matter of profound disrespect of front-line nurses and their profession.”
Hunter Baril, press secretary to the Minister of Mental Health and Addiction, said in an emailed statement that the concerns raised by the UNA are currently being reviewed by AHS labour relations.
“Every single frontline worker, regardless of the union they are a member of, is a valuable member of the health-care system and we want to hear from them. The announcement of Recovery Alberta provides a clear path forward for health system refocusing, while ensuring we have the next three months to consult with workers and ensure a successful transition before a single staff member moves to the new provincial health agency,” Baril said.