October 26, 2020
Updated: Oct. 26, 9:10 p.m.
EDMONTON – The Alberta Labour Relations Board has issued a decision on Monday’s illegal job action by the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE).
AUPE has been ordered to cease and desist all illegal strike activity.
We expect staff members to return to work as scheduled.
Updated: Oct. 26, 11:17 a.m.
EDMONTON - Alberta Health Services (AHS) is responding quickly to illegal strike action by Alberta Union of Provincial Employees staff at various sites across the province.
We are doing all we can to address any interruptions to patient care caused by this illegal job action. Our focus is on ensuring patients continue to receive the care and treatment they need.
AHS is enacting contingency plans to redeploy non-union staff, including managers, wherever possible to cover for missing staff. AHS is monitoring the situation closely to try to mitigate patient care interruptions.
AHS is postponing non emergency surgeries. All emergency procedures will continue as well as some urgent surgeries, such as cancer procedures. Non urgent ambulatory care procedures and clinic visits are also being postponed. Patients will be contacted directly if their appointments are affected. Visitors may be limited at some acute care sites depending on the level of strike action.
Essential visitors for continuing care residents are encouraged to continue to visit. Loved ones will appreciate the ongoing support, and especially so given the impact of labour action on our sites. All visitors will continue to be required to follow COVID-19 protocols.
We have reached out to staff to ask them to return to work and end the illegal strike. AHS has made an application to the Labour Relations Board today to formally ask the board to direct the affected employees back to work.
All AHS sites remain open.
