AHS acts quickly to ensure patient safety is not compromised by AUPE wildcat strike

LETHBRIDGE – Alberta Health Services (AHS) responded quickly Thursday to news of a wildcat strike by the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) general support service workers, enacting a contingency plan to protect patients’ health and safety.

“We are taking every precaution to ensure patient safety and care,” said Chris Mazurkewich, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for AHS.

Contingency plans have been put into place at all affected sites with management staff providing services such as meal delivery, portering, and room cleaning.

“We are focused on taking care of our patients,” said Mazurkewich. “That is our priority as we also reach out to workers to encourage them to return to work.”

AHS is also contacting AUPE leadership to encourage the union to ask employees to return to work. AHS has made an application to the Labour Relations Board today to formally ask the board to rule the affected employees back to work. Under the Alberta Labour Relations Code, employees of health authorities do not have the legal ability to strike. Rather, the method for resolving contract disputes is binding arbitration.

AUPE has not indicated how many of its members have walked off the job and AHS is assessing the impact now.

AUPE walked away from mediated negotiations last week, after AHS tabled an offer of a two per cent lump sum payment for 2011, a two per cent increase for 2012 and a cost of living increase for 2013.

AUPE Locals 054, 056, 057, 058, 095 represent approximately 22,000 employees at Alberta Health Services, including clerical, housekeeping, food services and trades.

• News release

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