When it comes to LPNs, UNA talks out of both sides of its mouth
EDMONTON – The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees is drawing its members’ attention to contradictory and inflammatory statements the United Nurses of Alberta have made in recent months regarding the skills and qualifications of Licensed Practical Nurses.
Yesterday, after a second failed attempt to lure LPNs away from AUPE through the Alberta Labour Relations board, UNA released a statement alleging that AUPE sees LPNs as “untrained, unregulated staff.” (See original statement here )
“UNA’s statement yesterday was factually incorrect and a blatant effort to drive a wedge between our Auxiliary Nursing Care members and other classifications,” said AUPE President Guy Smith.
“AUPE has shown itself, time after time, to be the most effective advocate for LPNs. When we applauded initiatives to see LPNs used to the full scope of their training and professionalism, UNA engaged in fear-mongering to suggest that a higher utilization of LPNs will put patients health, even their lives, at risk.”
In a recent example, UNA President Heather Smith said, in a May 12, 2010 letter to Covenant Health Board Chair, W. John Brennan that relying “on the far less experienced” LPN group would “without doubt have a negative effect on the residents” of Youville Home.
At a June 25 rally at Youville Home UNA’s President went on to say that reducing the hours of RNs compared to LPNs would result in more “errors, incidents and deaths… that’s the net impact.” Click here to see the video.
AUPE President Smith expressed his disapproval and regret at UNA’s divisive language.
“Like AUPE, UNA also represents social workers, cooks, maintenance workers, dietary aides and other general support employees in the health sector,” AUPE President Smith said. (Click here to see the collective agreement for UNA’s all-employees bargaining unit at Salvation Army Agapé Hospice.)
“Unlike UNA, our members support each other, no matter what their job classification. Unlike UNA, AUPE discourages the kind of elitism that puts certain classifications of members on a pedestal and fosters division among union members who all contribute to quality health care in Alberta.”
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When LPNs are given responsibilities matching their skills and training, UNA says this:
Youville’s plan is to remove most of the experienced RNs and rely on the far less experienced, recently recruited, LPN group. This is an inappropriate staff mix which will without doubt have a negative effect on the residents of the facility.
Heather Smith, UNA President
Letter to W. John Brennan, Covenant Health Board Chair, May 12, 2010
Click here to see source
When UNA wants your dues they say this:
UNA is disappointed that both AUPE and the employers refuse to recognize that LPNs at many sites across Alberta now have much broader duties and responsibilities than when the original four categories of bargaining units were created. It is unfortunate that while LPNs have evolved into a self-regulating profession, their union and employer remain satisfied to categorize them as equivalents to untrained, unregulated staff.
UNA statement
posted online July 22, 2010
See the statement by clicking here
More from UNA on the skill level of LPNs:
What we have is reduction in the registered nursing hours of care here at this facility, which is a higher level of skilled care. What happens is reduced supervision, reduced observation, reduced intervention. When you have higher levels of registered nursing care, you have diminished errors, incidents and deaths. That’s proven nationally and internationally. That’s the net impact.
Heather Smith, UNA President
Speaking at UNA rally in St. Albert
Click here to see video on YouTube
Alberta has actively been trying to cut long-term care costs by reducing staffing qualifications… At the same time as the acuity of the patients is increasing, the skill mix of the nursing staff is being decreased.”
Heather Smith, UNA President
May 13 Press Release
Click here to see source
As Registered Nurses it is our professional and ethical responsibility to draw your attention to the staffing changes that will result in Youville providing less skilled care to patients… We are concerned Covenant is reducing the qualification mix of skilled care providers to reduce costs in the care of patients. This is unacceptable…
Youville’s plans is to remove most of the experienced RNs and rely on the far less experienced, recently recruited, LPN group. This is an inappropriate staff mix which will without doubt have a negative effect on the residents of the facility. We ask you to reconsider your staffing changes, and maintain a high level of best-qualified nurses on staff to maintain the high standards of care at Youville.
Heather Smith, UNA President
Letter to W. John Brennan, Covenant Health Board Chair, May 12, 2010
Click here to see source
It takes Registered Nurses for safe health care!
UNA advertisement
Click here to see source