A & E
The A&E committee is responsible for researching, developing, planning, and organizing strategies to engage Local 196 members in social and political issues. Committee members must uphold the highest professional standards in all communication and behaviour in representing UNA’s branding. Committee members meet monthly via Zoom.
Upcoming Events:
EDLC Labour School – Feb 21-22, 2026
A&E Spotlights: A Spotlight on a topic related to the current A&E committee work.
Nov 2025 Spotlight: Public Systems Under Pressure: Privatization in Education and Health Care
Oct 2025 Spotlight: Decolonizing Nursing: Five Years After Joyce Echaquan
Trauma-Informed Responses to Funding Cuts for Sexual Violence Programs
June 2025 Spotlight – Hungry for Change: Food Insecurity in Alberta
May 2025 Spotlight – Alberta’s Young Nurses are Leaving
April 2025 Spotlight – Shelters, Sweeps and Substances
January 2025 Spotlight –Involuntary Drug Treatment
December 2024 Spotlight – Primary Care Alberta
November 2024 Spotlight – Alberta’s Political and Policy Landscape
October 2024 Spotlight – Privatization of Healthcare in Alberta
June 2024 Spotlight – Bill 22: Health Statutes Amendment Act
April 2024 Spotlight – Labour Rights in Alberta
March 2024 Spotlight – Domestic Violence at Work
Alberta Proposed New Trans Policy
February 2024 Spotlight – Housing Crisis in Edmonton
January 2024 Spotlight – Opioid Crisis
December 2023 Spotlight – Presumptive Legislation
September 2023 Spotlight – Take Back the Night
June 2023 Spotlight – May Day
March 2023 Spotlight – International Women’s Day
December 2022 Spotlight – Better Way Alberta
Local 196 A&E Committee Podcast
As community nurses, we are often on the move. Our local Advocacy and Engagement Committee created this podcast to provide information to our members, aiming to educate, enlighten, and entertain. “The Spotlight” by Local 196 was created and hosted by committee members Rachel, Geri, and Gerri.
Episode One: “Politics of Healthcare in Alberta” with guest Greg Mady
Episode Two: “The History of the Labour Movement for Nurses in Alberta” with guest Winston Gereluk
Episode Three: Interview of Local 196 President Joy Arntzen by Geri Ruston
Episode Four: “How to be Culturally Inclusive at Work” with guest Pam Spurvey by Gerri Logan
Episode Five: “Privatization of Health Care in Alberta” with guest Chris Gallaway from Friends of Medicare by Rachel Steel
Episode Six: “Government Interference in Bargaining” with guest Jason Foster, director of the Parkland Institute by Geri Ruston
Episode Seven: Interview of UNA 2nd Vice President Karen Kupys by Gerri Logan
Episode Eight: “Negotiating in Crisis: Alberta’s Labour Disputes and the Fight for Fairness” with guest Rick Brick by Geri Ruston
Episode Nine: Presumptive Legislation Round Table – “The Fight for Presumptive Legislation” with guests Katrina Stephenson and Heather Murray by Gerri Logan and Rachel Steel
Episode Ten: “Organizing for Change” with guest Cori Longo, Secretary-Treasurer for the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) by Rachel Steel
Bonus Episode: “Nurses’ Week Special – The Fiery Mary “Mother” Jones” by Rachel Steel, Geri Ruston and Gerri Logan.
Episode Twelve: “Health and Safety in Canadian Workplaces” with guest Dr Bob Barnetson by Geri Ruston.
Episode Thirteen: “Politics, Compassion and the Cost of Alberta’s Drug Crisis” with guest MLA Janet Eremenko by Gerri Logan
- Podcasts are available on Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music
Related Projects:
Founded by the members of the Local 196 A&E Committee. Alberta Nurses for Change (ANC) is an advocacy group focused on improving working conditions, mental health support, and overall well-being for nurses in Alberta, Canada. We are dedicated to addressing issues such as workplace stress, burnout, and psychological injuries, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which are often underrecognized in the healthcare sector.
Domestic Violence at Work Video: created by the AFL/CLC Winter Labour School 2024 class and included Local 196 Executive Members.
Rachel Steel (Secretary and Chair of the A&E Committee) – rsteel@una.ca
To contact a committee member or for more information, please email or call the Local 196 office at 780-430-4616 or fax 780-493-8579.
United Nurses of Alberta, Local 196 