HSAA brings "Wall of Support" to bargaining table of behalf of 22,000 health professionals

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Watch the press conference from November 12.

EDMONTON – As formal mediation resumes between the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) and Alberta Health Services (AHS), health-care professionals are entering negotiations backed by growing public support and clear evidence of a short-staffing crisis. 

Last week, as part of HSAA’s “Put Yourself in Their Shoes” campaign, the union asked Albertans to deliver messages of support in recognition of the immense challenges faced by health-care professionals working in a system stretched to its limits. In less than 24-hours, the union received more than 1,000 messages and signatures of support from the public. 

“Our members provide excellent care with compassion and constant professionalism, but they’ve been working without a contract for 18 months,” said HSAA President Mike Parker.  

“We’re walking into negotiations today standing tall because these messages are proof of what we at HSAA have known all along: Albertans value the people who care for them.” 

HSAA is sharing the messages back to all Albertans by showcasing their “Wall of Support” as the union enters critical negotiations with AHS from Nov. 12 to 14 on behalf of 22,000 professionals, including diagnostic imaging technologists, respiratory therapists, paramedics, pharmacists, addictions counsellors, physiotherapists and 200 other specialists. 

“It is time to do more than restructure health care. It’s time to invest in the people who deliver it,” said Parker, adding that a recent survey shows 77 per cent of Albertans view fair wages and better benefits as an important part of the solution going forward. 

Recent vacancy rate data shows key professions are critically short-staffed: 

  • Cardiovascular Perfusionists: 22 per cent vacancy rate. This represents one in five positions empty, while 80,000 Albertans wait for surgery.
  • Radiation Therapists: 16.7 per cent vacancy rate. This means fewer professionals to prepare and deliver life-saving cancer treatments.
  • Psychologists: 13 per cent vacancy rate, leading to gaps in mental health care.
  • Advanced Care Paramedics: 12 per cent vacancy rate among first responders working more than 30,000 hours of overtime every month to keep up with emergency calls.

“When we talk about short staffing, these are not abstract numbers,” Parker said. “These are people missing from the frontlines of care.” 

Parker said HSAA remains committed to reaching a fair agreement at the table and wants to see AHS and the Government of Alberta bring forward an improved offer for members.

“We’re ready to bargain a fair deal that respects, retains, and recruits,” he said. “We are coming to the table in good faith, and with strength and purpose, because we still believe in free and fair collective bargaining in this province. But time is running out. We are asking for a better deal for health care, without delay.”

Albertans can continue to share their messages of support at HSAA.ca/StandWith.