Hardisty staff ratifies first agreement, strike ends
EDMONTON – Close to 80 striking Licensed Practical Nurses and Health Care Aides have ratified their first collective agreement following a vote held in Edmonton, July 24, officially ending a two-month strike at Hardisty Care Centre.
The vote ratified a tentative agreement reached July 19 between the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees and owners of the Hardisty Care Centre, B.C.-based Park Place Seniors Living Inc.
“After months on the picket line, we’re satisfied we’ve come to a first contract both sides find acceptable,” said AUPE President Guy Smith.
“The members at Hardisty Care Centre can go back to work with their heads held high. The endurance and resolve they’ve shown in their struggle to secure a fair contract and to improve sustainable, quality care for Alberta seniors is inspiring,” said Smith.
“This is a positive achievement for seniors, for the employees who care for them and for the Albertans who fund that care with their tax dollars. This deal means the public dollars that go into seniors’ care will be spent where they were meant to be spent – on front-line care for seniors,” said Smith.
The three-year agreement is retroactive to April 1, 2012 and brings wages for members into line with Alberta Health Services current rates of pay over the life of the agreement.
A return to work protocol has been established that prevents retaliation and provides an orderly return to work over the next 14 days.
“This agreement provides a solid foundation for a first collective agreement with the employer,” said Jim Petrie, AUPE Negotiator. “Staff are pleased they can return to caring for the residents they’ve known for so long.”
The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees is Alberta’s largest union with close to 80,000 working Albertans. Almost half work in public, private and not, for profit health care.
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For more information:
Guy Smith, AUPE President: 780-265-2294 (cel.)
Jim Petrie, AUPE Negotiator: 780-399-8755 (cel.)
Tyler Bedford, AUPE Communications: 780-930-3406