EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA — Alberta's nurses could soon find themselves on the picket line as recent talks with the province foundered over disagreements over how much to pay and recruit them. David Harrigan, the United Nurses of Alberta director of labour relations, said informal mediation meetings last month were productive but said the gap between the two sides seems too big to bridge. "Unfortunately I think the gulf is just too big," Harrigan said in an interview.
The union, which represents more than 30,000 nurses, is seeking 30 per cent pay raises spread over two years while the Alberta government's standing offer is 7.5 per cent over four years. Harrigan said the two sides also find themselves far apart on operational issues, specifically staffing shortages and how to manage the workplace conditions created as a result.
"I think both (sides) recognize there are some real, serious, serious problems," he said. "It's just that we have completely different views on how to solve those problems." Harrigan said the province wants to remove an existing contract clause that requires Alberta Health Services to try and fill job vacancies from within the bargaining unit before hiring outside candidates.
"They want to say that article does not apply for one year and (Alberta Health Services) gets to hire whoever they want," Harrigan said. "We think the way to do things is improve the job conditions and then you'll be able to recruit people." Bumping pay for nurses is a significan.
