“Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) deserve recognition for their skills and education, and acknowledgement that they provide direct nursing care. They do important, valuable work, and Alberta Health Services (AHS) engaged in bargaining with that in mind. I’m disappointed that LPNs and other health care workers employed by AHS voted in favour of the strike authorization.
“The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) and AHS have been meeting for months and despite formal mediation, have yet to come to an agreement.
“However, the union is demanding LPNs be paid almost the same as registered nurses (RNs) and is bargaining for salary increases of 40 to 55 per cent depending on where the worker is in the current grid. While LPNs play a critical role, a key consideration that must be considered is the fact that they do not have the same education or extensive scope of practice as RNs.
“The union is also requesting reduced annual hours of work, which would result in the same overall pay but for less work. We deeply value the dedication of Alberta’s nurses, but right now, reducing hours would make it harder to deliver the health care Albertans depend on.
“I know of no health care workers anywhere in Canada who have received this type of salary increase. It is not based on market data, which compares the salaries of people doing the same job in different jurisdictions.
“AHS estimates AUPE’s total proposal would cost Albertans more than $2 billion.
“AHS’s offer to AUPE provides the entire auxiliary nursing care bargaining unit with a 12 per cent wage increase over four years – consistent with agreements reached with other public service employees, including the civil service and RNs. This is a fair, competitive deal, in line with more than 87 other negotiated settlements across the public sector.
“I encourage the union to reconsider its proposal and return to the bargaining table with an offer that is reasonable and fair.
“Out of respect for the bargaining process, I have no further comment at this time.”