PWL contracts out all nursing care services at their Wetaskiwin site to Saint Elizabeth. The company’s LPNs and HCAs work around the clock to support some of the cities most vulnerable community members.
“By joining AUPE, these hardworking professionals can go to work knowing they have the support of 95,000 other working Albertans standing behind them and the important jobs they perform daily,” said AUPE Vice-President Karen Weiers.
Nursing care staff at Wetaskiwin are currently dealing with a number of onsite issues. A major one is short-staffing. The employer continues to let scheduling issues slide, and as a result the team is stretched thin.
“This is unacceptable in any industry, but especially continuing care, where people’s health and wellbeing is on the line,” said Weiers.
“When health care professionals are overworked and short-staffed, this is when critical errors and burnout can happen."
Saint Elizabeth’s employees have done the best they can with the limited resources they’ve been given, but now they’re ready to bargain for the workplace protections they deserve.
“They joined our union so they could raise their working conditions and the living conditions of Wetaskiwin’s elderly, disabled and chronically ill," adds Weiers.
"By extension they’re also raising the bar for Alberta’s continuing care system, which should always strive towards optimal care - not sell out to private employers, who put profits before people.”
AUPE represents over 95,000 public sector workers across the province. More than half work in health care, including a number of PWL supportive living facilities.
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For more information:
Alexander Delorme, AUPE communications officer: 780-264-9274