Finance Minister Travis Toews. (Canadian Press)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Bargaining To Continue

Province asks Alberta’s nurses to take 3% wage rollback

Jul 7, 2021 | 11:50 AM

Alberta’s Minister of Finance, Travis Toews, announced late Tuesday the province is looking to roll back the wages of nurses.

A follow-up statement from the United Nurses of Alberta (UNA) reveals the proposed cut is three per cent, though it would amount to more than five per cent with a previously announced cut.

“Alberta’s nurses have worked diligently throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and we respect and appreciate the invaluable role they have played in helping the province emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Toews, who also serves as president of the Treasury Board.

“As we move beyond the peaks of the pandemic and into a more manageable period, we need to continue the important work of getting the province’s finances back on track. AHS is offering job security to nurses, despite record unemployment in the province due to the pandemic.”

Toews notes Alberta nurses make 5.6 per cent more compared to similar provinces, costing Alberta approximately $141 million annually, “at a time when our finances are already stretched.”

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Toews says the need to bring wages in line with other large provinces does not diminish the deep respect there is for the exceptional work and dedication of public sector workers.

“It is simply reflective of our fiscal reality, and one that many sectors in the province have experienced,” Toews continued.

“The past 16 months have put a considerable strain on the province, following already high levels of debt and deficit. An additional $5.1 billion was spent in response to COVID-19 and to support the Alberta Recovery Plan, which included $1.5 billion in health care spending. This is above and beyond the $23 billion Health expense in Budget 2021 – the largest single-year investment in health care in Alberta’s history.

According to the UNA, when other previously announced cutbacks are taken into account, nurses are facing a compensation reduction of at least five per cent.

“Finance Minister Travis Toews is cherry-picking the numbers that he thinks will advance his case against Alberta nurses,” the UNA said in comment on social media. “Every profession in Alberta is paid higher than comparator provinces — we used to call that the Alberta advantage.”

The UNA says the parties are scheduled to meet again for bargaining on July 8.

“Alberta can no longer afford to be an outlier,” added Toews. “We are hopeful that AHS and UNA will bargain in good faith to ensure health care workers are treated fairly, while being respectful of the province’s fiscal reality.”