Alberta Nurses Union to File Labor Grievance

The United Nurses of Alberta filed an unfair labor practice complaint with the Alberta Labor Relations Board this week alleging “bad deals” and hindering representation of union members after Alberta Health Services (AHS) negotiated for a new provincial collective. Agreement.

The union says its grievance was prompted by the province's plan to create Recovery Alberta, a new provincial addiction, mental health and corrections service.

UNA claims AHS failed to bargain in good faith when it planned to transfer nearly 3,200 people (about 10 percent of union members) to a new employer, saying their rights under the current collective bargaining agreement were not preserved.

Under this agreement between UNA and AHS, members have the right to choose whether or not to transfer services to the new employer, which is the current situation with the creation of Recovery Alberta, the union says.

“The provincial government stated that the Alberta Recovery Plan was developed in collaboration with AHS and frontline workers, but received no consultation or input with UNA and no transfer agreements were made with UNA,” the complaint states. “The transfer was made public on April 2, 2024, when it was announced to UNA.”

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The complaint, filed Monday in Edmonton, also alleges that AHS interfered with representation of UNA members by telling AHS employees directly about the transfer ahead of negotiations about how the organization would proceed with the union.

“This undermines the union's role as the exclusive bargaining agent for its members and impedes the union's ability to effectively represent its members,” the complaint states.

UNA is now seeking an order requiring AHS to cease direct contact with their employees while Alberta transitions to recovery, and an order requiring AHS to negotiate in good faith.

The trade union requests the immediate implementation of these measures.

Also requested by UNA is a declaration that AHS has violated the Alberta Labor Relations Code, an injunction and general damages against the union and its members arising from AHS's alleged interference with the union's representational rights and members' right to representation. AHS will post notices to staff setting forth the Board's orders on this matter.

The province previously said there would be no changes to the terms and conditions of employment for AHS substance abuse and mental health workers transitioning to Alberta Recovery.

Recovery Alberta also said there will be no change to grants or contracts for service providers currently under contract with AHS following its establishment.