On February 17, 2010, the ALRB ruled that HSAA is now the union of record for EMS employees of Alberta Health Services (AHS), and former professional employees of the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commisssion (AADAC), in accordance with provincial legislation.
CUPE has applied for a stay, and an injunction of that decision, while it launches an appeal with the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench. While HSAA respects CUPE’s right to access legal avenues, EMS employees cannot be left in limbo with regard to their rights in the workplace.
HSAA is ready to welcome EMS and former AADAC employees to full participation within our union, and to enjoy the benefits of membership. We have arranged with Alberta Health Services to put all but the most critical labour relations matters on hold until the ALRB and the Court of Queen’s Bench decide on these two applications. The nature of a ‘stay’ and ‘injunction’ are such that they will normally be heard quickly.
In anticipation that the decision of the ALRB will be upheld, we have scheduled information meetings for each of the EMS units that are the subject of the decision. We will also arrange opportunities for incoming members from AADAC to get to know HSAA as soon as we know for certain that the ruling will stand. In the unlikely event that an injunction is granted, meetings would be cancelled.
We have been very patient with the rhetoric that has accompanied the process of consolidating EMS into Alberta Health Services. We have chosen not to engage in a ‘tit for tat’, preferring to stand on our record. And that record is one of enhancing the benefits and rights of members, wherever they happen to work. Suggestions that HSAA will bargain away rights are as irresponsible as claims that any union can guarantee provisions forever.
I encourage you to visit our union’s website at www.hsaa.ca for further information regarding upcoming orientation meetings for new EMS members, and look forward to meeting you at one of them.
In Solidarity,
Elisabeth R. Ballermann
President
The ALRB released their ruling on the stay application this morning and as a member of CUPE 3421 I was encouraged to hear that the stay has been granted and that the ALRB recognizes the importance of this issue being decided by the courts. Although this decision was not anticipated by either CUPE or HSAA, I hope that you, as a president of a union, can appreciate the message that is being sent forward by the ALRB. The Government of Alberta has been trying to take away our right to choose who represents our labor issues and force us into HSAA regardless of whether or not that is what our membership wants. In the true spirit of upholding the principles upon which unions are founded, the granting of the stay is truly a victory for all unions and workers in Alberta, regardless of their affiliation. I hope that HSAA will choose to celebrate this victory alongside their CUPE brothers and sisters.
In Solidarity,
Catherine Ford
Member, CUPE 3421