A woman with brown skin and dark curly hair stands in a hospital hallway with her arms cross and a serious expression.

"Accept less or leave your job:" Public Health Inspectors facing unacceptable choice in job transfer, HSAA calls for protections

Media Releases

EDMONTON – The Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) is raising serious concerns about the planned transition of Public Health Inspectors and other health professionals who are facing an unacceptable choice: accept less or leave their careers. 

Under Bill 55, passed by the Alberta Legislature in May 2025, the Government of Alberta is transferring 370 Public Health Inspectors, Researchers, and Health Promotion Facilitators from Alberta Health Services (AHS) to direct government employment, resulting in a change in union representation from HSAA to the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE). 

However, this week, the government’s proposal to AUPE indicated these workers may be denied several existing negotiated rights, including wages and benefits.  

“Public Health Inspectors are the first line of defense in preventing illness and protecting the health of Albertans. They deserve better,” said HSAA President Leanne Alfaro. 

“Our members ensure the food we eat is safe, the water we drink is clean, and the public spaces we share meet the highest standards. They are highly trained professionals with enormous responsibility, and they should not be forced to choose between keeping their jobs and keeping the rights and protections they have secured with their union.” 

Unlike other recent staff transfers due to health system restructuring, this planned transfer will see workers simultaneously laid off from AHS while receiving a new—and lesser—offer of employment with the Government of Alberta. HSAA members in public health just finished renegotiating their employment contract in an agreement reached last November. 

According to information released by AUPE, which is negotiating the transition agreement, the Government has rejected key proposals to keep employees whole, and as a result, HSAA members may lose negotiated wage increases.  

The Government has indicated it will begin the transition by the end of July whether or not there is a transition agreement. Their deadline for reaching an agreement is June 17. 

“These workers reached a fair collective agreement just six months ago. If the Government wants to transition them, they deserve to retain the rights, wages and benefits that they fairly negotiated,” said Alfaro. 

HSAA is calling on the Government of Alberta to immediately guarantee: 

  • No loss of negotiated wages, benefits, and pensions, 
  • Full recognition of seniority, years of service, and vacation entitlements, 
  • Clarity on transition timelines and employment terms, including classifications, 
  • Stable employment in workers' current communities and work locations, and  
  • A fair transition that keeps workers whole and protects services for Albertans. 

“Disrupting this workforce without a clear, well-developed plan creates risk — not only for workers, but for the communities they serve,” Alfaro added. 

HSAA stands with our members and remains committed to working with government and AUPE to ensure a fair transition that respects their rights and protects public health services. 

HSAA represents more than 30,000 health-care professionals working across Alberta’s health-care system, from paramedics and medical laboratory technologists to respiratory therapists, surgical teams, and social workers, HSAA members provide essential care every day. 

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HSAA President Leanne Alfaro is available for media interview at 2:00 p.m., June 12, 2026 at HSAA Edmonton Office (18410 – 100 Avenue NW).  

Media Inquiries:   
Renato Gandia, Communications Officer   
403-512-9230 | rgandia@hsaa.ca