More position transfers impact UNA members

United Nurses of Alberta has been informed that more than 700 positions held by Registered Nurses represented by the union have been identified for transfer from Alberta Health Services to the new Health Shared Services Provincial Health Corporation. These positions include nurses in LOCUM positions and internationally educated nurses from across the province.

UNA has also been informed that more than 60 positions are also being transferred from AHS to two provincial health care corporations under the auspices of the Acute Care Alberta provincial health organization. Thirty-six of those positions are moving to Give Life Alberta and 29 positions moving to Cancer Care Alberta.

Also, there are 32 positions held by nurses represented by UNA that are being transferred to Assisted Living Alberta, including all those employed in Redwater Home Care and in Continuing Care at the Fairview Health Complex.

There are also 11 positions moving from AHS to to Primary Care Alberta.

UNA has been informed these transfers will be effective December 1, 2025.

Transferred positions held by UNA members from AHS will be treated as a successorship as outlined in legislation, which means their current collective agreement will continue to apply.

The day-to-day work for staff transitioning will be the same and they will continue to use the same systems and processes, including Connect Care and e-People, UNA was also told.

UNA remains deeply concerned by the chaos caused by this restructuring on nurses and their ability to deliver the best patient care possible within the public health care system. However, a Letter of Understanding signed by United Nurses of Alberta and AHS on May 31, 2024, which is now part of the Provincial Collective Agreement, retains and expands the rights of employees affected by the creation of new provincial health agencies and provincial health corporations.

These position transfers are part of the Alberta government’s ongoing restructuring of publicly owned and operated Alberta Health Services into four separate sector-based provincial health agencies: Primary Care Alberta (covering physicians and public health), Acute Care Alberta (hospitals and other facilities), Recovery Alberta (mental health and addiction), Assisted Living Alberta (continuing care), and Health Shared Services.