With the failure of informal mediation negotiations, an Alberta nurses union strike vote is imminent

Alberta’s nurses may soon be on strike as recent negotiations with the provincial government have stalled over pay and recruitment issues.

David Harrigan, director of labour relations for the United Nurses of Alberta (UNA), said informal mediation meetings last month were productive but that the gap between the two sides is too wide to close.

"Unfortunately, I think the gulf is just too big," Harrigan explained.

The UNA, which represents over 30,000 nurses, is asking for a 30% wage increase over two years, while the Alberta government’s offer stands at 7.5% over four years.

In addition to pay, staffing shortages and difficult working conditions have been major sticking points. Harrigan noted that both parties acknowledge the severity of the problems, but they differ sharply on how to resolve them.

One contentious issue is a provincial proposal to suspend a contract clause that prioritizes hiring from within the union for one year, allowing Alberta Health Services (AHS) to hire externally.

Harrigan argued that improving job conditions and raising pay is key to attracting nurses, rather than eroding workers’ rights.

Harrigan emphasized that nurses’ wages have not kept up with inflation, making recruitment more challenging. Since 2013, Alberta’s nurses have seen a combined wage increase of 11.5%, with half of that obtained before 2018, followed by five years of wage freezes.

The Alberta government, in a statement, expressed hope that AHS and UNA could reach a collaborative settlement.

The union has scheduled a meeting next week to discuss the next steps, which could include accepting the government's offer, pursuing formal mediation, or holding a strike vote.

Formal mediation would need to occur before any strike, though Harrigan believes it would likely be short-lived given the failure of informal talks.

In the event of a strike, an essential services agreement ensures that Albertans will still have access to emergency medical care, with some nurses remaining on duty to maintain patient safety.

Both parties are also required to maintain communication to call in additional staff in case of an emergency.