World News – CA – Frontline healthcare workers quit jobs across Alberta: AUPE

The decision was made to « defend their jobs and the public health care system that keeps Albertans safe and secure, » according to the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees

Shortly after 8 a.m., dozens of healthcare workers could be seen picketing outside the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton It is not known how many healthcare workers are involved in the professional action, nor the exact places

AUPE communications officer Terry Inigo-Jones said the walkout began Monday morning at the Royal Alex, and then groups from across the province joined in, including workers from Foothills Medical Center in Calgary and other sites in Fort Saskatchewan, Cold Lac, St Paul, Wetaskiwin and Leduc

« Anger has been mounting among members for months, » AUPE President Guy Smith said in a press release

Smith said ‘the last straw’ for healthcare workers was a recent announcement by Health Minister Tyler Shandro that 11,000 jobs in Alberta’s healthcare service would be cut Earlier this month, Shandro announced that around 9,700 jobs would be lost through the outsourcing of support services such as laundry and community laboratory services.

Read more:
Thousands of jobs in Alberta Health Services to be cut to save $ 600 million a year

Shandro said AHS was also asked to cut 100 management positions At the time, Shandro claimed that « there will be no job loss for nurses or frontline clinical staff « 

Smith said in a press release Monday morning that nurses and support workers « have decided today that there is no choice but to fight to protect Albertans at risk, in especially during the deadliest pandemic in a century

« By constantly reducing public health care staff, this government is pushing our members to breaking point exactly when Albertans need it most »

AUPE represents over 90,000 workers, of which around 58,000 are in the health sector The union represents around 2,800 caregivers and support workers at the Royal Alexandra

“Workers across the province are rising up against Jason Kenney’s job-destroying policies and joining the fight in solidarity It was a decision made by the members themselves AUPE is a democratic union and we respect the wishes of our members « 

« Members will do everything in their power to keep Albertans safe. Public safety is why they are taking this action They know cutting thousands of frontline jobs during a pandemic is crazy This will lead to lower levels of care and higher costs This will lead to tragedies, ”Smith said

Global News has contacted Alberta Health Services and the Government of Alberta for a response, which will be added to this story once received

Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, Alberta Health Services