Stephen Duckett, MD, Edmonton Journal, July 31, 2010 It is a strange day indeed when Alberta Health Services is criticized for committing to hire more than 1,100 new nurses. So perhaps some perspective is in order on what is actually a very positive step forward in realizing our goals of improving access, quality and sustainability in our health care system. Alberta Health Services made two key commitments under our recently signed collective agreement with the United Nurses of Alberta. First, that we would maintain the number of nurses and, secondly, that we would hire 70 per cent (the traditional proportion we hire) of the graduating class of nurses ... Hiring

Province embarks on hiring spree after spending $24M to buy out nurses last year. Jodie Sinnema, Edmonton Journal, July 30, 2010 Edmonton - Alberta Health Services spent $24 million to eliminate nearly 450 nurses last year to save money during the recession, but will soon have to hire more than twice that many, the Alberta Liberals said. The constant flip-flop from nursing shortage in 2008 to nursing glut in 2009 and back to nursing shortage in 2010 mirrors a government struggling with long-term planning, said Liberal health critic Kevin Taft. ... Alberta

Clara Ho, Edmonton Sun, July 30, 2010 The Alberta Liberals are accusing the Tories of hurting health care quality by buying out 448 nurses and later committing to hiring 70% of nursing graduates each year for the next three years. An Alberta Liberal news release pointed to the 2009-10 Alberta Health Services consolidated financial statements that showed that 448 nurses were bought out at a cost of $23.6 million. But the government will hire back more than twice as many nurses as they've laid off, which the Liberals called "another confusing flip-flop from a government that's struggling to manage health care."  ... Opposition

Sandra Prusina, 660 News, July 9, 2010 Alberta Health Services is running a massive deficit and despite that executives earned $5.8 million in salary and bonuses in 2009. AHS President and CEO Stephen Duckett made a total of $744,000. Now, the United Nurses of Alberta is now wondering "why?" Heather Smith with the union tells CTV this revelation raises many questions, including on what basis was their performance even measured. Ed Stelmach says that although the numbers seem high, they are substantially lower than what other CEOs would earn in a year. He also says the province eliminated nine regional health boards in favour of one superboard and that is keeping administrative costs lower.

Edmonton Journal, July 3, 2010 It's all too rare that we read of cheering news on the Alberta health-care front, in spite of the fact that the system remains far better than we sometimes imagine it to be. So let's take this opportunity to congratulate all concerned on the new contract just signed by the United Nurses of Alberta and the provincial government. The last thing Albertans needed was a protracted battle between registered and psychiatric nurses - key front-line workers - and Alberta Health Services. A certain collective fatigue has set in over the constant wrangling in the realm, and it's a relief to mark an occasion underlined by co-operation and quiet, un-fevered negotiation. ... Victory

Ryan Tumilty, Saint Albert Gazette, July 3, 2010 Alberta Health Services inked a new three-year deal with the province’s 24,000 nurses after union members ratified the agreement Wednesday night. The deal will give the nurses a six per cent raise over the three years, with no increase this year, two per cent in the second and four per cent in the final year. Dr. Stephen Duckett, CEO of AHS said the agreement is good for everyone involved. “I think it is a responsible deal. I think the United Nurses of Alberta took a very responsible position. It is a good deal for nurses, a good deal for patients and a good deal for taxpayers.” ... Nurses

Jason van Rassel, Calgary Herald, July 2, 2010 The new contract for Alberta's registered nurses is being hailed as a shot in the arm for the health-care system and patients. The three-year deal includes wage increases totalling six per cent, but provisions that guarantee jobs for hundreds of nursing graduates and bolster job security will benefit everyone who uses or works in the health-care system, Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky said Thursday. "This isn't just about the money," he said. The contract includes a promise by the province to hire 70 per cent of Alberta's nursing graduates for the duration of the deal, which could work out to 1,300 new nurses ... Nurses

Contract reflects 'economic realities of the day'. Edmonton Journal, July 1, 2010 Edmonton - The province and the United Nurses of Alberta have ratified a new three-year contract covering the province's 24,000 registered nurses. The contract agreement, reached late Wednesday, provides no salary increase this year, a two-per-cent increase in 2011 and a four-per-cent increase in 2012. "The contract also begins to address nurses' biggest concern, which is adequate and safe nurse staffing," said UNA president Heather Smith. ... Province

Canadian Press, June 30, 2010 Edmonton - Members of the union that represents 24,000 registered nurses in Alberta have voted in favour of a new contract. The United Nurses of Alberta had been recommending acceptance of a three-year deal recommended by a mediator. The agreement calls for a wage freeze in the first year, a two per cent "productivity" payment in the second year and a four per cent wage increase in the third year. Alberta Health Services has also agreed to hire 70 per cent of nursing graduates - which would amount to more than new 700 RNs in the first year of the contract. ... 24,000

CBC News, June 30, 2010 As Alberta nurses vote on a three-year contract Wednesday, the head of Alberta Health Services is downplaying suggestions of a future wage freezes for its employees. As Alberta nurses vote on a three-year contract Wednesday, the head of Alberta Health Services is downplaying suggestions of a future wage freezes for its employees. The new agreement with the United Nurses of Alberta calls for no wage hike this year, a two per cent raise based on productivity next year and four per cent increase in 2013. Stephen Duckett, president and CEO of Alberta Health Services, said the board's $11.2 billion budget passed Tuesday takes into account any wage increases negotiated ... No

Superboard unveils $11B budget today. Jamie Komarnicki, Calgary Herald, June 29, 2010 As health unions worry about the prospect of a wage freeze, the boss of Alberta Health Services is promising "far fewer difficult decisions" in the superboard's $11-billion budget, which will be revealed today. In a public board meeting scheduled in Calgary today, the service will unveil its budget and business plan that will signal its intentions for the coming year. Today's budget is the first since the province promised a cash infusion for the health system, writing off the service's deficit - which had climbed to $1.3 billion - and boosting its share of the budget ... Health

Jane Sustrik, RN, Edmonton Journal, May 21, 2010 Ever been in a situation where you feel like you are trying to nail Jell-O to the wall? Well, that must be where Alberta Health Services (AHS) is these days with the nursing shortage. One year ago, we were short some 1,500 nurses, according to job postings on the AHS website. Then suddenly, with a wave of a magical wand and the wiggle of an Australian nose, AHS slammed the door on the nursing shortage and declared we actually had a glut of nurses in this province. Nursing jurisdictions here and across this country have continued to raise alarms about the dire nursing shortage we are all facing. ... Alberta

Jason Ramsey, TopNews, April 7, 2010 Alberta's nurses union is highly concerned about some of the recently changes and has stressed that replacement of nurses in the blood-screening process would effectively "cheapen" Canada's blood supply. "Canadian Blood Services’ proposed donation model is not aligned with international best practices”, said Heather Smith, President of the United Nurses of Alberta. On Thursday, Health Canada had officially announced that it would allow Canadian Blood Services to put into practice a program that would replace nurses with lower-skilled workers to take care of the initial blood donor screening ... Alberta

Richard Liebrecht, Edmonton Sun, April 6, 2010 Replacing nurses in the blood-screening process will “cheapen” Canada’s blood supply, says Alberta’s nurses union. “Canadian Blood Services’ proposed donation model is not aligned with international best practices,” said Heather Smith, president of the United Nurses of Alberta. Health Canada announced Thursday it would allow Canadian Blood Services to implement a pilot program that replaces nurses with lower-skilled workers for initial blood donor screening, according to the union. They blame the decision on federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq, but a spokesman for the minister said she did not sign off on the decision. ... Alberta

Shawn Logan, Calgary Sun, January 31, 2010 Fears of a nurse exodus towards greener pastures south of the border could be even worse in Alberta, says the provincial union boss. The Canadian Nurses Association has expressed concerns that registered nurses may flood into the US to take advantage planned health reforms that are currently mired in legislative limbo. And Alberta may be one of the top exporters, says United Nurses of Alberta President Heather Smith, who fears an ongoing hiring freeze for RNs may see new grads streaming south. “We have great concern that we’re not in a position any longer to retain nursing grads,” she said. ... Nurse