Alberta Healthcare Workers Vote on Potential Strike Action

Alberta’s licensed practical nurses (LPNs), healthcare aides (HCAs), pharmacy technicians, and other healthcare professionals are concluding voting on a potential strike action, which is set to wrap up on Monday, October 30, 2023. The Alberta Union of Public Employees (AUPE) represents these workers, urging its members from Locals 041, 043, 044, 045, and 046 to support a strike mandate. Voting commenced on Thursday and will remain open until 16:30 local time on Monday. If a majority opts for the strike mandate, the union could initiate a strike at any time within the following 120 days, with the earliest possible date being November 17, 2023.

The union has identified five key demands that it seeks to address through these negotiations: fair wage increases, enhanced work-life balance, improvements to benefits, support for professional development and licensing, and better provisions for mileage and parking. Currently, the union is advocating for LPNs to receive 84 percent of the wage that registered nurses (RNs) earn. According to AUPE, LPNs had the fifth highest maximum hourly pay rate in Canada when contract negotiations began.

Inflation has significantly impacted the financial well-being of healthcare workers in Alberta. The union stated, “Inflation has significantly impacted everyone’s ability to afford the basics, and our wages have fallen behind.” This concern highlights the urgency behind the strike vote.

To improve work-life balance, AUPE is requesting several changes to scheduling practices. Among these are the provision of two consecutive days off without on-call duties, limiting consecutive working days to six, and increasing on-call pay to $7 per hour. Additionally, the union is seeking comprehensive coverage for prescriptions, including diabetic supplies, as well as an increase in spending allowances for massage therapy.

Professional development is another focus, with AUPE pushing for three leave days for all licensed employees, and an expansion of these benefits to newly-licensed HCAs. Furthermore, the union is demanding free on-site parking and compensation for mileage for those using personal vehicles for work duties.

“A strike vote is a tool AUPE will use to put pressure on the employer to deliver a fair deal that meets our demands,” the union stated on its website. “A strong strike vote shows the employer that we are united and ready to do whatever it takes to have our demands met.”

The outcome of this vote could have significant implications for healthcare services in Alberta, as these professionals are essential to the province’s healthcare system. The union’s call for action underscores the ongoing challenges faced by healthcare workers, particularly in the context of rising living costs and the demand for better working conditions.