EDMONTON - A strike at the Devonshire Care Centre has been held off.
At 1:30 pm on Monday, July 2nd, Dave Hancock, the Minister of Human Services granted a Disputes Inquiry Board for the centre, allowing for a government appointed mediator to meet with staff prior to a strike.
Approximately 180 licensed practical nurses, health care aides, dietary, housekeeping, laundry and other specialized staff were set to strike at 6:30 am on Tuesday, but the strike was averted Monday after government intervened.
The issue at the centre of the dispute between staff at Devonshire and their employer, B.C.-based Park Place Seniors Living Inc. is wages.
"We left the decision of whether to continue with the strike plan in the hands of Devonshire's workers, and early this morning they elected to obey the process imposed on them by the government," said Alberta Union of Provincial Employees President Guy Smith.
"The members are angry that the government stepped in at the last minute to save Devonshire's owner, Park Place Seniors Living, from what would have been a legal strike. Frankly, I'm not happy either," said Smith. "Nonetheless, the members remain united and will take whatever steps they can to secure an agreement."
As more continuing care spaces are created by the province, critics worry patients will be the ones to suffer. NDP Human Services Critic, Rachel Notley, says situations like these will only increase as the population ages.
"It comes from the government's insistence on passing off to the private sector of the important service of caring for vulnerable and aging Albertans."
Health Minister Fred Horne says it's important that they get back to the bargaining table as quickly as possible however, wants to ensure all aspects are covered. He doesn't want to sign an agreement just for the sake of having an agreement.
"For some of the initiatives where we want to improve in healthcare, we ended to work with a broad range of providers. So, in the case of primary healthcare, we're talking about doctors, absolutely, they're critical but, so are nurse practitioners and nurses and pharmacists. So, some of these issues span beyond just our agreement with physicians," adds Horne.
Park Place Seniors living also owns Hardisty Care Centre where 80 workers have been on strike since May 22nd.
Revera Riverbend in Edmonton, owned by Revera Inc. is another private continuing care centre where staff are on the picket lines.
Staff at Monterey Place in Calgary, have also been locked out since June 26.
Horne says the government is monitoring each case very carefully.
"Alberta Health Services and my department are looking at any issues around quality of care or safety that would effect the residents."
With files from Vassy Kapelos.
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