Employer disrespect prompts Alberta-wide pickets in support of AHS GSS bargaining
EDMONTON – Information pickets in support of 22,000 General Support Services (GSS) employees engaged in difficult negotiations with Alberta Health Services (AHS) will take place at locations around the province, tomorrow, Thursday. Feb. 16.
Media are encouraged to attend.
Information picket times, locations and AUPE contacts:
- Edmonton, 3 p.m. – 3:45 p.m., Royal Alexandra Hospital
- Contact: Guy Smith, AUPE President: 780-265-2294
- Contact: Jason Heistad, AUPE Vice-President: 403-373-2535
- Red Deer, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Red Deer Regional Hospital
- Contact: Sandra Azocar, AUPE Vice-President: 780-906-6884
- Calgary, noon – 1 p.m., Rockyview General Hospital
- Contact: Karen Weiers, AUPE Vice-President: 403-561-2482
- Lethbridge, noon – 1 p.m., Chinook Regional Hospital
- Contact: Glen Scott, AUPE Vice-President: 403-479-4508
- Westlock, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Westlock Health Centre
- Contact: Erez Raz, AUPE Vice-President: 780-660-6494
Local activists will also hold GSS information pickets in their communities on Thursday in support of the five central pickets:
- Fort McMurray, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Northern Lights Regional Health Centre
- Contact: TBA
- Lac La Biche, noon – 1 p.m., William J. Cadzow Healthcare Centre
- Contact: Sandy Kyle, AUPE Vice-President: 780-235-2130
In January, the GSS bargaining unit rejected a mediator’s contract recommendations by an overwhelming 95-per-cent, prompting AHS to come back to the bargaining table. The two sides met last week to resume negotiations.
“We were very hopeful a fair agreement could be reached with AHS last week, what we got was nothing short of insulting,” said AUPE President Guy Smith.
“AHS’s final position was even less than what was recommended in the rejected mediator’s report. Alberta Health Services continues to provoke unrest among its employees,” said Smith.
Negotiations are for the large group’s first collective agreement since the amalgamation of the province’s health regions in 2009.
General Support Services employees fight superbugs, manage health records, prepare meals, manage finances, maintain facilities, assist in therapy, sterilize surgical tools, assist pharmacists, provide security and much more.
“The work these members do is crucial to the overall success of Alberta’s health care system. Alberta Health Services does not value the work these employees do and that has to change,” said Smith.
AUPE is Alberta’s largest union, serving close to 80,000 members. Almost half of those members work in health care.
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For more information:
Guy Smith, AUPE President: 780-930-3301 or 780-265-2294 (cel.)
Tyler Bedford, AUPE Communications: 780-930-3406