Alberta health-care workers held provincewide rallies for ‘Day of Unity’

Health-care workers across the province rallied outside of hospitals on Thursday as part of a “Day of Unity.” Stephanie Thomas reports.

Alberta health-care professionals rallied at 11 sites across the province on Thursday, calling for a better deal with the provincial government.

Calgary rallies were held outside the Foothills Medical Centre and the Sheldon M. Chumir Centre, with dozens of union members in attendance.

“We’re used to caring for people, we’re used to caring for our patients, we’re not used to having to do this,” said Leanne Alfaro, HSAA vice president.

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She says in addition to a larger wage increase, working conditions need to be addressed.

“Safe worksites, safe workloads” she said. “Stop the burnout. Stop our members from leaving health care in general and leaving Alberta.”

On Sept. 10, members of the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) rejected a tentative agreement with Alberta Health Services (AHS).

Seventy-eight per cent of eligible members cast their ballots between Aug. 28 and Sept. 10, and 59.37 per cent voted against the tentative agreement.

The province offered a 12 per cent wage increase over four years.

The association has not called a strike vote.

On its website, HSSA says the union “is prepared for job action.”

Of the 30,000 employees in the association, 22,000 are employed by Alberta Health Services.

HSAA says its members include paramedics, diagnostic imaging specialists, mental health and addiction counsellors, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, physiotherapists and more.

The office for the Alberta Minister of Treasury Board and Finance sent CTV News a statement, which reads in full:

“We are aware of today’s HSAA rallies in several communities across Alberta. Alberta Health Services and the HSAA remain at the bargaining table. We are committed to reaching a fair and fiscally responsible agreement that supports health-care workers and protects taxpayers.”