Friday, May 30, 2003

EDMONTON – The Alberta Labour Relations Board has activated a toll-free phone line for health care employees who need to update their addresses to take part in runoff votes required by Bill 27, the province’s health care labour relations restructuring law.

The board said in a May 27 letter to stakeholders that it has assembled lists of employees eligible to vote in regions where runoff votes will be required to determine which union will represent employees in the new "functional bargaining units" in each health region.

"The board has tested these mailing lists by sending out to each employee a letter explaining Bill 27," the ALRB said in its communication.

"Where this test mailing has been returned as undeliverable, the board will be seeking correct mailing information from the affected employee," the ALRB said. "The board may enlist the assistance of the employers in this process."

The toll-free phone line set up by the ALRB – 1-866-747-1114 – is designed to accommodate employees who want to update information directly with the board.

AUPE President Dan MacLennan urged health region employees in General Support Services – the functional bargaining unit in which all runoff votes will take place – to make sure the ALRB has their correct address information so that they can be sent ballots and other materials.

"We are anxious that all health care workers, including those who belong to other unions, see AUPE’s information," MacLennan said. "We urge all affected workers to vote, because the outcome of this vote will have major implications for the working lives of all affected workers."

ALRB toll-free number for address updates: 1-866-747-1114.

ALRB toll-free number for all other inquiries regarding the Bill 27 process: 1-800-463-2572.

AUPE toll-free number for information on Bill 27: 1-800-232-7284.

Click here for a worksite poster with the ALRB toll-free numbers.