‘It’s just one more pressure’: Red Deer hospital workers fed up with parking issues

The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) says Red Deer hospital workers have had enough with parking issues after receiving relentless tickets over the years.

“We’re seeing parking issues just overwhelming staff,” said Darren Graham, an AUPE vice president.

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Many hospital staff are forced to park in non-designated parking stalls where they have to pay, said Graham. Because staff are often asked to extend their workday and sometimes don’t get breaks, they don’t have the ability to move their vehicles or feed the meter while on shift.

But Alberta Health Services (AHS) says workers don’t lose parking privileges if they work overtime.

“If an employee is required to work overtime and needs parking privileges during that time, they don’t incur additional parking fees either,” said a statement from the health authority.

If workers get enough tickets, they can get their parking privileges revoked so they can’t use the parkade at all.

Graham said there is a waitlist for hospital staff at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre parking but it would take 10 to 12 years to get a spot.

“It’s just one more pressure,” said Graham. “We’re already seeing issues with staff compensation and being overworked.”

Hospital workers are still waiting for a collective agreement and are making wages that were set years ago, said Graham, making tickets another financial burden for staff to deal with.

“When you get a $50 ticket, that can be the make-or-break.”

The hospital is also under construction as it undergoes a $1.8 billion redevelopment.

AHS said it has to protect access for patients, families and visitors.

“When public parking stalls are used for extended periods by staff or others, it can reduce availability for those coming to a hospital for care,” said AHS.

There are designated staff parking areas and short-term parking stalls for patients and visitors at all AHS facilities.

Staff are to register their vehicle for parking privileges in designated staff parking spots. If workers are unable to register because the spots are full, they’re on their own.

The health authority said citations may be issued when staff park in patient-designated zones, use accessible stalls without a placard or fail to register their vehicle properly—even if they pay for parking.

Citations are handled by AHS Parking Services, which is self-funded and operates independently of the health care budget.