Alberta aiming to end 500 nursing jobs over 3 years; nurses call it ‘betrayal’
EDMONTON – Alberta’s nurses union says the province’s intention to eliminate 500 full-time nursing positions over the next three years has left them feeling betrayed.
David Harrigan, a labour negotiator with the United Nurses of Alberta, says that means at least 750 nurses will be out of work once job-sharing is factored in.
Harrigan notes Premier Jason Kenney ran on a platform of reducing spending but keeping front-line services intact.
Harrigan says fewer nurses will translate into longer waits for care, increased privatization and upfront costs to patients.