Bargaining Update: AHS GSS and NC, March 31, 2020

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, AUPE members working the front-lines are taking risks to leave the house and go to work, but we go because we are dedicated to providing health care to Albertans now more than ever.

Additionally, many members will not be using their vacation days but will accumulate a lot of banked overtime.

Members brought forward a number of related concerns that, if addressed, would help them and our health care system through the pandemic. Based on these suggestions, AUPE reached out to Alberta Health Services hoping to sign Letters of Understanding which would have supported members. Unfortunately, the employer rejected these requests.

AUPE asked for:

• Allow employees to cancel scheduled vacation with two days notice (or less, if mutually agreed);
• Have staff vacation leave paid out with 14 days notice.

AUPE also asked for the following requests to come into effect once Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer declares the outbreak is over:

• Carry over one year’s worth of vacation entitlement to the next year;
• Overtime accumulation limits waived for 12 months;
• Have the employer meet with employees within 60 days of the outbreak being over to determine how to use banked overtime.

We are disappointed the employer rejected these proposals for both the General Support Services and Nursing Care bargaining units. Adopting these proposals would have allowed Alberta Health Services to take care of the little things and focus on the big picture: helping Albertans.

Your negotiating teams will continue to advocate for you, and we are hopeful the employer comes around to our proposals before the pandemic gets worse. Please contact a member of your negotiating team or AUPE resource staff if you have any questions.

AHS GSS Negotiating Team

Local 054
Nancy Woods - [email protected]
Julie Woodford (A) - [email protected]

Local 056
Deborah Nawroski – [email protected]
Tammy Lanktree (A) - [email protected]

Local 057
Darren Graham - [email protected]
Wendy Kicia (A) - [email protected]

Local 058
Anton Schindler - [email protected]
Dave Ibach (A) - [email protected]

Local 095
Stacey Ross - [email protected]
Dusan Milutinovic (A) - [email protected]

Lamont Health Care Centre GSS
Lorrie Tarka - [email protected]
Carol Palichuk - [email protected]

AUPE GSS Resource Staff

Chris Dickson, Lead Negotiator - [email protected]
Jason Rattray, Negotiator – [email protected]
Farid Iskandar, Organizer - [email protected]
Kate Jacobson, Organizer - [email protected]
Alexander Delorme, Communications - [email protected]

AHS NC Negotiating Team

Local 041
Christine Vavrik - [email protected]
Myrna Wright (A) - [email protected]

Local 043
Judy Fader - [email protected]
Marylou Savic (A) - [email protected]

Local 044
Brenda Bailer - [email protected]
Laurie Johnson (A) - [email protected]

Local 045
Nancy Burton - [email protected]
Brenda Marks (A) - [email protected]

Local 046
Dolline Osterlund - [email protected]
Sandy Kyle (A) - [email protected]

AUPE NC Resource Staff

Jason Rattray, Lead Negotiator - [email protected]
Chris Dickson, Negotiator – [email protected]
Farid Iskandar, Organizer - [email protected]
Kate Jacobson, Organizer - [email protected]
Alexander Delorme, Communications - [email protected]