The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) claims Alberta Health Services is slashing acute care hours and laying off workers, however the province says that isn’t so.

In a statement posted to its website, AUPE said a growing number of members in both auxiliary nursing care (nursing attendants) and general support services have approached the union recently about cuts.

“The union is starting to see layoffs occur in different forms in various worksites around the province as a result of AHS’s so-called, ‘Operational Best Practice’ plan,” the member update said. “Obviously, this is very concerning to AUPE, its members and the public who will see health-care services compromised.”

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Health Minister Sarah Hoffman denies the claims, calling them incorrect.

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“There will be no cuts to front-line workers or patient care as we work with AHS and our partners to deliver health services as efficiently and effectively as possible,” a statement from the minister late Thursday night said.

“AHS needs to ensure it manages existing staff and resources appropriately. But I have been clear: there will be no cuts, just as I have also been clear that we need to find ways to slow the rate of spending growth.” Tweet This

The health minister reiterated that there will be no job losses, as staff will be offered new positions in accordance with their collective agreements. The statement said changes would be by attrition and redeployment only.

The Alberta Health Services 2016-17 health and business plan identifies four goals, with one of them being financial health and operational best practice (see page 15.) It said, “financial sustainability is not about reducing services, quality or outcomes. It also is not about making people work harder or reducing the quality of our work life. It is about asking how we compare with our peers and whether there are opportunities to operate more efficiently.”

“We are continuing to invest in public health care, and we will add more front-line services every year,” Hoffman stated.

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The AUPE said it is working to protect its members by exploring a number of different strategies, including through additional language in the collective agreements and with action at the Alberta Labour Relations Board.

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The union said members with questions or those wanting to share any information they hear regarding layoffs are encouraged to contact their membership services officer by calling the union’s resource centre at 1-800-232-728.

The AUPE represents nursing assistants and those who work in general support services, which encompasses a wide range of health-care roles such as maintenance workers, security, laundry, food services and, as well as pharmacy and therapy assistants.

Back in July, an arbitrator awarded health-care support staff in Alberta a new three-year AUPE contract that included pay increases and more benefits.

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