EDMONTON – The Provincial Health Authorities of Alberta should not try to force negotiations with the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees into a crisis by applying for mediation now, AUPE President Dan MacLennan warns.

"Combined with the PHAA’s extremely low wage offer to our members in this group, and the wage increases in excess of 20 per cent given to other groups, this appears designed to attempt to anger and unsettle our members," MacLennan said.

"We are advising everyone involved in this round of negotiations to exercise caution and ensure all issues are dealt with," he stated. "A lot remains to be negotiated and AUPE remains convinced that a fair settlement satisfactory to all can be reached if we continue to work toward that goal in a mature and measured fashion.

"Our members want, and deserve, meaningful discussion of a whole range of complicated contract issues," he said. "Forcing these negotiations to mediation now will not achieve that goal."

AUPE is bargaining on behalf of approximately 7,000 licensed practical nurses, personal care attendants and operating room technicians at hospitals throughout Alberta in this round of negotiations with the umbrella employer bargaining organization.

In a news release published today, the PHAA said it has applied for mediation.

MacLennan observed that the last time the PHAA decided to use aggressive negotiating tactics, in May 2000, the result was a serious labour dispute that disrupted the delivery of health care in Alberta.

"Their strategy last time was ill-conceived and provoked completely unnecessary labour troubles," he said. "We cannot understand why they seem to be starting down that road again.

"Mediation at this early stage makes no sense except as a tactic to provoke a response," he said.

"What AUPE wants to do is sit down at the bargaining table and seek a fair resolution of issues."


For more information, contact:
Dan MacLennan, President, AUPE, 780-930-3301 or 780-910-8392 (cellular phone)
Jim Petrie, Union Representative, AUPE, 780-930-3335 or 780-919-4415 (cellular phone)
David Climenhaga, Communications Director, AUPE, 780-930-3311 or 780-7171-2943 (cellular phone)

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