No clear winner in union representation vote in central Alberta means health care workers are asked to choose again
Edmonton This time general support service workers in Region 4 will be asked to choose between the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE).
Previously, CUPE was declared the union to represent general support service workers in Regions 1 and 2.
With one union dropped from the ballot, the dynamics will certainly change. These results demonstrate that over two-thirds of health care workers who voted, rejected AUPE, said CUPEs Alberta Regional Director, Dianne Wyntjes.
Now we have a two-way race and we are confident health care workers will choose a union that fights for their jobs and for the public health care system, she added.
The first vote was a three-way contest between CUPE, The Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) and AUPE. CUPE received 422 votes compared to AUPEs 495 votes and 257 votes cast for HSAA. The Alberta Labour Relations Board ordered the vote last April after the government streamlined health care delivery from 17 regions to 9.
Health care workers will continue to face huge challenges. With rumours of further streamlining in health care CUPE will be working hard to protect jobs and to protect the public health care system, said Wyntjes.
Whats more health care workers know it. We think the results demonstrate their concerns, she added.
Region 4 is Central Alberta from Wetaskiwin south to Olds and Sundre, and from Rocky Mountain House east to Stettler. The region includes Red Deer, Ponoka, Lacombe, Three Hills and Drumheller. Ballot counting continues today for general support service workers in Region 7 and Auxiliary Nursing in Region 5. Dates for counting for the remaining regions has yet to be determined by the ALRB.
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CUPE is Canada’s largest union with over half a million women and men who provide public services. In Alberta, CUPEs 33,000 members work in health care, municipalities, schools, colleges, universities, libraries, emergency medical services, social services and casinos. Visit the CUPE Alberta website for more information.
For more information:
Pam Beattie,
CUPE Communications
(780) 484-7644 or (780) 288-1230 (cellular)