For immediate release: Jan. 23, 2003

EDMONTON – Caritas Health Group, a continuing-care partner of the Capital Health Authority, has informed the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees that it intends to close 20 long-term care beds and lay off bedside auxiliary nursing staff.

The employer advised AUPE, which represents licensed practical nurses and nursing attendants at Caritas, that approximately 40 employees will lose their jobs or suffer reduced hours.

"At a time when the elderly population is growing and the long-term health care system is seen to be deteriorating, this is very troubling news," said AUPE President Dan MacLennan.

"Caritas has in the past been a good employer and we know that the problem here is funding formulas," MacLennan said. "This needs to be promptly addressed by the province."

In a memorandum to physicians, staff and volunteers, Caritas President Bev Rachwalski described the changes as difficult, saying "these changes are required for Caritas to operate within its budget, which includes operating continuing care within the provincial funding formula."

She noted in the memorandum that before making the decision to lay off staff, "Caritas has already implemented extensive cost containment measures."

AUPE expects the layoffs and reductions in hours to affect employees at the Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre and the Grey Nuns Hospital.

MacLennan observed: "In these economic times, it’s clearly time to increase the funding available to this important area of health care, so that proper services can be delivered to our most vulnerable citizens."

AUPE Union Representative Terry Agoto said AUPE wants Caritas to consider alternatives that would find other employment for workers who end up without a position or compensate them fairly for their loss.

"These employees are people who are giving their hearts, backs and knees to the care of our elderly citizens for as little as $11.98 per hour," MacLennan concluded. "It’s shocking that they would face losing their jobs at a time when Alberta is again expecting a multi-billion-dollar surplus."

For more information, contact:
Dan MacLennan, President, AUPE, 780-930-3301 or 780-910-8392 (cellular phone)
Terry Agoto, Union Representative, AUPE, 780-930-3309 or 780-720-2226 (cellular phone)
David Climenhaga, Communications Director, AUPE, 780-930-3311 or 780-717-2943 (cellular phone)