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HSAA rally on corner of 108 St and 109 Ave in Grande Prairie Oct. 2, 2025. Photo by Erika Rolling.
By Erika Rolling
Healthcare

HSAA rally held in Grande Prairie

Oct 2, 2025 | 1:15 PM

A group of Health Sciences Association of Alberta members rallied outside the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital on Thursday afternoon.

HSAA Labour Relations Officer Fenton Corey says this was done after the majority of their union rejected the provincial government’s latest offer for a new contract.

“This rally is just to raise awareness for the issues we’re having in bargaining with Alberta Health Services right now.”

 

“Our members voted no, they’re looking for better terms and conditions than the ones that were on the table. So we are continuing to negotiate with them and try to get the best deal for our members that we can.”

More than 59 per cent of union members who cast a ballot opted to reject the tentative agreement in a recent vote.

Corey could not expand on what exactly the terms were, but in a release from the HSAA President, Mike Parker says, “Albertans deserve expert medical care delivered by a team of well-supported and well-resourced professionals. But right now, unsustainable workloads, constant short staffing, and severe burnout are driving professionals out of the health system and out of Alberta, creating a crisis in our hospitals and health centres.”

The HSAA represents technical, professional, and support workers in Alberta’s healthcare system.

“We are aware of today’s HSAA rallies in several communities across Alberta,” said Marisa Breeze, Senior Press Secretary to Nate Horner, Minister of Treasury Board and Finance in a statement released to media on Thursday. “Alberta Health Services and the HSAA remain at the bargaining table. We are committed to reaching a fair and fiscally responsible agreement that supports health-care workers and protects taxpayers.”

 

Corey says the two bargaining parties reached a tentative agreement, but did not fare well in the eyes of union members.
“Our members voted no, they’re looking for better terms and conditions than the ones that were on the table. So we are continuing to negotiate with them and try to get the best deal for our members that we can.”
More than 59 per cent of union members who cast a ballot opted to reject the tentative agreement in a recent vote.
Corey could not expand on what exactly the terms were, but in a release from the HSAA President, Mike Parker says, “Albertans deserve expert medical care delivered by a team of well-supported and well-resourced professionals. But right now, unsustainable workloads, constant short staffing, and severe burnout are driving professionals out of the health system and out of Alberta, creating a crisis in our hospitals and health centres.”
The HSAA represents technical, professional, and support workers in Alberta’s healthcare system.
“We are aware of today’s HSAA rallies in several communities across Alberta,” said Marisa Breeze, Senior Press Secretary to Nate Horner, Minister of Treasury Board and Finance in a statement released to media on Thursday. “Alberta Health Services and the HSAA remain at the bargaining table. We are committed to reaching a fair and fiscally responsible agreement that supports health-care workers and protects taxpayers.”
by Erika Rolling