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The Alberta Union of Nurse Practitioners (AUNP) Formally Begins Collective Bargaining

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: [email protected] & [email protected]

The Alberta Union of Nurse Practitioners (AUNP) Formally Begins Collective Bargaining

Edmonton, AB – The Alberta Union of Nurse Practitioners (AUNP) is looking forward to the commencement of collective bargaining with Alberta Health Services and Covenant Health this week. Sitting down at the table with employers and the provincial government is the next step in advocating for the advancement of nurse practitioners (NPs) across the province and improving access to primary care for Albertans wherever they live.

Since 2003, Alberta’s NPs have been disenfranchised by a short-sighted decision of the government of the time that prevented NPs from professional self-advocacy. As a result, these highly trained and expert clinicians have faced years of inequity in our healthcare system and have not been properly utilized which has limited access to care for Albertans. Despite having more training and possessing a greater scope of practice, NPs across the province are often paid less than their Registered Nurse (RN) counterparts.

Successful collective bargaining with the provincial government will be a key driver in enhancing the role of NP professionals in Alberta. The result will improve health outcomes, attract new talent to our province, and stop the bleeding of NPs to other provinces (namely Ontario and British Columbia) that we have experienced in recent years.

Bargaining to Improve the Health of our Healthcare

This is an excellent opportunity for the Government of Alberta to finally right a wrong - and there is plenty of support across the board for the advancement of NPs in our province. In addition to the recognition of the importance of NPs from Alberta Health Services and Covenant Health:

 

  • In 2019, the United Conservative Party platform committed to “…increasing the number and scope of nurse practitioners in Alberta and allowing nurse practitioners the ability to bill directly to Alberta Health”; and
  • The Blue Ribbon Panel on Alberta’s Finances provided independent confirmation of this need, finding “many of the duties performed by doctors can be assigned to Nurse Practitioners (highly qualified nurses) if their scope of practice is fully utilized”;

Ensuring that NPs in Alberta are fairly compensated and fully utilized in our healthcare system is truly a shared priority of our professionals, the provincial government, employers, and the Albertans that need our services every day. We are looking forward to positive and productive engagement with the Government of Alberta and the subsequent benefits that will flow to Albertans where they live – rural and urban settings alike.

“The AUNP bargaining committee is eager to engage with employers to achieve an agreement that fits the needs of their members, but also the employer and Albertans as a whole. The opportunity to advocate for NPs is a privilege and responsibility as we advance access to care across the province, together.” - Anne Summach, President of AUNP

AUNP became the certified bargaining agent for nurse practitioners in Alberta on December 20, 2021. Nurse practitioners are highly trained expert clinicians that are well suited to improve Albertan’s access to health care and to fill gaps in our province’s health care system for the benefit of all who live here.

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AUNP Certified for Alberta Health Services NPs!

EDMONTON, Alberta – On Monday, December 20, 2021, the Alberta Labour Relations Board (“ALRB”) confirmed that The Alberta Union of Nurse Practitioners (“AUNP”) has become the certified bargaining agent for nurse practitioners employed at Alberta Health Services (“AHS”).

“This is the next step in the process of attaining professional equity for Nurse Practitioners in Alberta” states AUNP President Anne Summach. “Establishing a bargaining body unique to NPs is a first across Canada, and Alberta’s NPs are leading the way in ensuring all Albertans have access to the quality, comprehensive care that NPs provide.”

On October 20, 2021, the AUNP applied to the ALRB to become the certified bargaining agent for NPs employed at AHS. The ALRB sent mail-in ballots to all eligible NPs employed at AHS, and those ballots were counted on Monday, December 20, 2021. The ALRB has now confirmed the voting results: a resounding majority of AHS NPs chose AUNP to be their bargaining agent.

AUNP organizer David Froelich declares: "As a life-long labour advocate, witnessing AHS Nurse Practitioners taking increased control of the terms and conditions of their employment and proactively seeking to positively influence the overall direction of their own profession is truly remarkable.”

AUNP is a trade union formed by nurse practitioners as a strong voice for NPs across the province. AUNP is supported by an experienced team of union organizers and negotiators and by local legal and lobby firm Alberta Counsel. The union is dedicated to representation and advocacy for Alberta’s NPs by Alberta’s NPs.

For any questions, please contact AUNP at: [email protected]

 

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AUNP certified for Covenant Health NPs!

EDMONTON, Alberta – On Monday, December 13, 2021, the Alberta Labour Relations Board (“ALRB”) confirmed that The Alberta Union of Nurse Practitioners (“AUNP”) has become the certified bargaining agent for nurse practitioners employed at Covenant Health.

“The decision of Covenant Health NPs is important validation of the desire of NPs to work within their own profession to improve relationships with employers. The AUNP is excited to work with Covenant Health NPs to advocate for them, and for the NP profession as a whole.” declares AUNP President Anne Summach.

On October 20, 2021, the AUNP applied to the ALRB to become the certified bargaining agent for NPs employed at Covenant Health. The ALRB sent mail-in ballots to all eligible NPs employed at Covenant Health, and those ballots were counted on Friday, December 10, 2021. The ALRB has now confirmed the voting results: an overwhelming majority of Covenant Health NPs chose AUNP to be their bargaining agent.

AUNP organizer David Froelich proclaims: “This is so exciting!  Having spent the better part of a lifetime advocating for collectively bargained workers’ rights, to witness these Covenant Health Nurse Practitioners taking increased control of the terms and conditions of their employment and proactively seeking to positively influence the overall direction of their own profession is truly remarkable.”

AUNP is a trade union formed by nurse practitioners as a strong voice for NPs across the province. AUNP is supported by an experienced team of union organizers and negotiators and by local legal and lobby firm Alberta Counsel. The union is dedicated to representation for Alberta’s NPs by Alberta’s NPs.

For any questions, please contact AUNP at: [email protected]

 

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AUNP Townhall - November 30 at 7:00pm

Please join us on November 30 at 7:00pm for our virtual Townhall!

Click on the link below to join.

AUNP Townhall Q&A

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AUNP Applies to ALRB to Become Certified Bargaining Agent

NEWS RELEASE

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 20, 2021

Contact: [email protected]

https://www.aunp.ca

 

EDMONTON, Alberta – Earlier today, The Alberta Union of Nurse Practitioners (“AUNP”) submitted applications to the Alberta Labour Relations Board (“ALRB”) to become the certified bargaining agent for nurse practitioners employed at Alberta Health Services and Covenant Health.

“We are so thrilled that we were able to do this again with the support of NPs across Alberta,” announces AUNP President Mary-Elizabeth Cooper. “Our team and volunteers worked extremely hard to get us to this point and I couldn’t be prouder of the progress we made. We are one step closer to becoming the voice of NPs in Alberta!”

The ALRB is expected to review AUNP’s applications and put each to a representation vote by the eligible NPs working for each employer. If there are any objections to the certification applications, the ALRB may schedule hearings to resolve them before votes are held.

AUNP organizer David Froelich has decades of union and bargaining experience, including negotiating national collective bargaining agreements. He proclaims: “To have NPs support their second application for certification by the ALRB in this short timeline, and with such overwhelming support, speaks volumes to the urgency NPs sense with this effort in having their own collective voice with their employers. I’m so proud of them!”

AUNP is a trade union formed by nurse practitioners as a strong voice for NPs across the province. AUNP is supported by an experienced team of union organizers and negotiators and by local legal and lobby firm Alberta Counsel. The union is dedicated to representation for Alberta’s NPs by Alberta’s NPs.

For any questions, please contact AUNP at: [email protected]

 

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