By rdnewsNOW Staff

Red Deer Rally May 1, 2023

AUPE health care workers set to take action against working short

Apr 24, 2023 | 3:00 PM

Officials with the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) say health care workers are facing a staffing crisis and Albertans are bearing the cost.

Union officials say health care leaders, working in the health care sector stood their ground at the Queen Elizabeth II Building on Tuesday to call on the government to hire, recruit and retain more health care workers to fix the ongoing staffing crisis.

The AUPE says health care workers are in dire need of support from the province to alleviate the pressure workers are feeling in chronically understaffed hospitals, ensure access to services in rural communities, and keep delivering the high standard of care Albertans deserve.

“We want Alberta Health Services to be working with us, not against us,” said Local 43 Chair Judy Fader, representing nursing care workers in northern Alberta.

“Without meaningful actions to hire, recruit and retain staff in Alberta’s public health care system, the province will continue to experience service disruptions due to issues like short staffing, bed closures, reduced emergency room hours which puts Albertans at risk.”

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Even before the pandemic, short staffing has plagued the long-term care sector.

“Now, instead of hiring more staff, improving wages, and working conditions, the private sector of our continuing care system is making matters worse by continuing to not offer full-time positions in favor of bringing in contracted agencies to staff the facilities.

“Our members are forced to continue working two or more jobs to make ends meet while for-profit employers continue to benefit off our backs,” said Local 47 Secretary Judith Cseresnyes, representing members working for private long term care providers.

The Union says working short and heavy workloads – combined with a growing population – are pushing workers to the brink of exhaustion, burnout and illness.

AUPE Vice-President Sandra Azocar said workers feel there is an expectation with some rotations to have zero work-life balance.

“There is a high expectation or demand to put in overtime – workers know the need is there but they’re also tired – it’s just not sustainable, nor is it fair to the workers and their families,” Azocar said.

“AHS has a Human Resources department that is responsible for hiring, recruiting and retaining health care workers, so its time they do their job, stop cutting corners and contracting out these important jobs – especially in rural areas that need long-term solutions,” Azocar added.

The AUPE says the government must invest in staffing, or the crisis will get worse, wait times will get longer and Albertans will suffer.

“When there’s not enough staff on deck, we know patient care suffers. It’s an unintentional consequence but that’s the reality we’re facing,” said Jesse Philp, Local 44 chair, who provides nursing care in the central region.

“That’s why we’re speaking out today and demanding action to hire, recruit and retain staff so frontline workers can keep delivering quality public health care to Albertans.”

Local 58 Chair Loree Preete, representing southern area general support services (GSS) members, said health care workers had to work through a pandemic, knowing the government’s agenda of cuts and privatization was looming in the background.

“We saw what happened to the approximately 300 retail food service workers, who were laid off and replaced by contract workers not long ago,” Preete said. “And they’re still coming for 11,000 more of us to cut throughout the province after getting Albertans through the pandemic.”

To make sure the issue of working short remains front and centre in the upcoming election campaign, AUPE members say they will be holding the following rallies on Monday, May 1 from 11:30 am to 1 pm:

• Edmonton: Legislature Building, 10800 97 Ave NW
• Red Deer: Red Deer Regional Hospital, 3942 50A Ave 
• Calgary: Foothills Medical Centre, 1403 29 St NW
• Lethbridge: Provincial Building, 200 5 Ave S

Scott Johnston, Press Secretary, Health, issued the following statement on behalf of the government, in response:

“Alberta’s government is committed to making sure Albertans get the care they need, when and where they need it. To ensure the province has the medical professionals needed both now and in the future, Budget 2023 provides $158 million for a new Health Workforce Strategy.

“The strategy lays the foundation for a resilient and sustainable health care system that provides every Albertan with access to a health home and has the workforce in place to deliver the health services Albertans need today and in the future.

“A new agreement with the Alberta Medical Association goes to 2026 and will stabilize the health system, target areas of concern and support Albertans’ health care needs. Through this agreement, Alberta physicians continue to be among the highest compensated in Canada with an average increase of 4% over the four-year term.

“About $780 million in new funding over four years is being invested to stabilize the health care system, including $40 million in funding for primary care and $260 million for targeted initiatives such as addressing rural physician recruitment and retention.

“Budget 2023 included funding to expand our medical schools, with an aim towards increasing those trained to practice in rural areas. More effort is being put into registering internationally trained physicians, as well as bringing in internationally trained nurses. That includes a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Philippines to assist in the recruitment of Filipino registered nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses.”