Nurses union, AHS exchange words about use of third party nurses
The United Nurses of Alberta says Alberta Health Services is trying to distract the public from a dire staffing situation in hospitals.
"I think what's happened is they got caught doing something that they're embarrassed that they were doing and so they're making up stories," said David Harrigan with United Nurses of Alberta (UNA).
Alberta Health Services (AHS) has filed an unfair labour practice complaint with the Alberta Labour Relations Board saying the UNA is falsely claiming registered nurses are being recruited through a third party Greenstaff Medical.
The UNA says ads posted by recruiters are publicly on display and it's reached out to AHS for clarification on what exactly is being misrepresented.
The United Nurses of Alberta says AHS has not yet responded.
The union says Alberta Health Services is trying to distract from the fact staffing shortages at Alberta Hospitals go far beyond regular vacation requests.
"They are unable to staff the hospitals to the point that they're relying now on agency nurses," said Harrigan.
"And while they're doing that the agency nurses will be paid 55 to 70 dollars an hour, and AHS is saying to their current nurses we expect you to take a five per cent rollback. None of this makes any sense."
"Our goal is to always cover shifts by using existing staff, and to fill our vacancies in areas hard to recruit to by hiring qualified candidates rather than relying on agency nurses," an AHS statement said.
AHS says it is not exploring a contract with Greenstaff Medical and staff supplied by agencies are only used as a last resort to prevent disruption of services.
The UNA says AHS is also refusing to schedule a meeting with the labour board regarding the complaint before January.
In the statement AHS says that's not true, and it's prepared to meet at the earliest opportunity.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.