Workers must be protected as they battle the COVID-19 pandemic
Keeping health-care workers safe is crucial. If they get sick, they can’t care for others.
That’s why the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE), along with other health-care unions and employers, have worked together to create a process for the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while working to combat COVID-19. AUPE, the United Nurses of Alberta (UNA), the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA), Alberta Health Services (AHS) and Covenant Health have issued a joint statement that spells the process to be used to keep workers safe.
It says: “Under the joint agreement, we agree that a risk assessment must be conducted for every patient interaction to ensure front-line health care workers have the specific PPE they need. As partners in the response to COVID-19, we trust our front-line health care teams to make appropriate and clinically sound decisions.”
AUPE president Guy Smith says: “We worked hard with other unions and the employers to craft an agreement that protects staff and protects the supply of equipment. At times of crisis, it’s good to see us all working together for Albertans.”
You can read the media release here and the joint statement here.