In just over two weeks, the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) will host a live discussion on improving nurses’ working lives through proven retention initiatives.
An interactive conversation about nursing retention with Canada’s Chief Nursing Officer Dr. Leigh Chapman. An RN of more than 20 years, Dr. Chapman knows how powerful nurses’ work and leadership truly are. She will be giving an in-depth talk on Health Canada’s Nursing Retention Toolkit: Improving the Working Lives of Nurses in Canada and what this groundbreaking toolkit means for nurses.
Join nurses from across the country for an empowering discussion about how nurse-led solutions can transform our health care systems for the better.
The theme for 2024 is “Planet vs. Plastics,” which calls for reducing single-use plastics.
How can we reduce plastic waste in healthcare?
1. Mindful use of Plastic – Think before deferring to single-use plastic
2. Recycle where possible—5.9 million tonnes of healthcare waste is estimated to be generated globally.
3. Sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics – Reusable medical textiles, sterilization containers, and surgical instruments are already in place in hospitals worldwide.
4. Enable a circular economy for plastics—A circular economy is based on necessary, climate-smart, nontoxic, and nonpolluting products designed for reuse and long life, easily recycled, and with safe final disposal options.
For the full article in the April 2024 newsletter – click HERE
The Local newsletter was sent via MailChimp with updated member contact information from Provincial UNA Office. It was sent to personal email addresses only. If you did not receive our newsletter, please update your contact information in UNA’s DMS system and email local196exec@una.ca to be added to our subscribers list. You don’t want to miss out!
If you have registered and are no longer able to attend, please cancel your registration in DMS or email Local196Education@una.ca prior to the registration deadline.
If the deadline has passed and you wish to be placed on the waitlist, please emailLocal196Education@una.ca
Important update from United Nurses of Alberta’s Negotiations Committee. Please share with UNA members.
UPDATE #6
April 19, 2024
Talks continued April 16, 17 and 18. Had productive discussions about many outstanding Articles/provisions. Articles 2, 13, 25 32, 42, Letter of Understanding #4 and Letter of Understanding #6 signed off as current language. Article 43 also signed off with minor improvements to meal allowances.
UNA is close to completing the overarching Essential Services Agreement with AHS. Dates to be established with other Employers.
No additional clarification regarding Recovery Alberta provided by AHS. No hearing date yet set for UNA’s Bargaining in Bad Faith complaint to the Labour Relations Board regarding Recovery Alberta.
The Negotiating Committee has scheduled a virtual Presidents Meeting for all Locals participating in Provincial Negotiations to discuss and seek Local direction regarding “Recovery Alberta”. The meeting is scheduled for Friday May 3, 2024. Details will be sent to affected Locals.
Next scheduled bargaining dates are May 6, 7 and 8, 2024
Click HERE for the new spotlight on Labour Rights in Alberta. This spotlight and previous spotlights are also located under the A&E tab on this website.
United Nurses of Alberta has filed an unfair labour practice complaint with the Alberta Labour Relations Board alleging bad faith bargaining and interference with the union’s representation of its members by Alberta Health Services in negotiations for a new Provincial Collective Agreement.
The UNA complaint stems from circumstances related to the Alberta Government’s plan to create Recovery Alberta, a new provincial addiction, mental health and correctional services agency.
UNA’s complaint says the employer failed to negotiate in good faith, as required by Section 60(3) of the Alberta Labour Relations Code, when it planned the transition of approximately 3,200 members, about 10 per cent of the union’s membership, to the new employer without regard for their existing collective bargaining agreement rights.
Under the current collective agreement between UNA and AHS, members are able to elect whether or not to transfer to the new employer in the event of a transfer of services as would be the case in the creation of Recovery Alberta.
“The provincial government has stated that the plan for Recovery Alberta has been done in collaboration with AHS and front-line workers, yet no consultation or information was shared with UNA and no bargaining occurred with UNA regarding the transition,” the complaint says. “The ‘transfer’ was announced publicly on April 2, 2024, concurrently with when it was announced to UNA.”
In addition to the employer’s bargaining in bad faith, the union complaint says, AHS interfered with UNA’s representation of its members by notifying AHS employees directly of the transfer before negotiating how the transfer would proceed with the union.
“This undermines the role of the Union as exclusive bargaining agent with respect to its members, and interferes with the Union’s ability to effectively represent their members,” the complaint says.
UNA is seeking the following interim remedies, which would have to be implemented immediately:
– An order directing AHS to cease engaging in direct communication with employees regarding their transfer to Recovery Alberta – An order directing AHS to bargain in good faith
In addition, the union is seeking the following remedies:
– A declaration the employer has violated the Code – An order that AHS cease and desist violating the Code – An order directing the employer to bargaining in good faith – An order directing AHS to cease engaging in direct communication with employees regarding their transfer to Recovery Alberta – An order providing the union and its members with general damages resulting from the employer’s interference with the union’s representational rights and the members right to be represented – An order that the employer post notices for employees setting out the Board’s orders on the matter – Any of the above remedies on an interim basis – Any other order or direction that is appropriate in the circumstance.
Talks continued April 16, 17 and 18. Had productive discussions about many outstanding Articles/provisions. Articles 2, 13, 25 32, 42, Letter of Understanding #4 and Letter of Understanding #6 signed off as current language. Article 43 also signed off with minor improvements to meal allowances.
United Nurses of Alberta, Local 196 
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