Nurses call Alberta finance minister insulting, hypocritical in contract talks
Posted Mar 19, 2021 7:40 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
EDMONTON – The union representing registered nurses in Alberta says it’s insulting and hypocritical for finance minister Travis Toews to suggest nurses are putting their needs first in the COVID-19 pandemic.
The United Nurses of Alberta was responding to Toews criticizing the union for giving notice this week that it wants to return to bargaining after a year’s hiatus.
Toews has said the needs of Albertans have to come first during the pandemic.
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But David Harrigan, who’s the director of labour relations with United Nurses of Alberta, says negotiations won’t affect the COVID relief effort.
He adds that Toews has been OK with the government negotiating with other public sector unions.
The province has been pursuing talks with doctors during the pandemic on a new master agreement, with a tentative deal announced three weeks ago.
