Alberta nurses plan rallies to commemorate 1988 strike as job action looms

Alberta is the closest its been to a nurses strike since 1988, and nurses across the province plan to hold a day of action Saturday as a show of solidarity on a big anniversary.

It was back on Jan. 25, 1988, the United Nurses of Alberta hit the bricks for a 19-day illegal strike.

UNA president Heather Smith says their current mediation and the province’s reorganization of the health system are the two main reasons behind the day of action.

“I, and many, believe it is going to actually make it more difficult for the public to navigate health services and have their needs met,” she said.

Rallies, pickets, and other winter-themed events will be held in Calgary and across Alberta.

In Calgary, supporters will gather at Southport (the southwest corner of Macleod Trail and Southland Drive SW) and near the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre (the base of the 16 Avenue pedestrian overpass at 29 Street NW).

Smith says it’s a chance to show support for quality healthcare.

“We think it’s really important that healthcare workers, and even the public, come out and try to send a message to this government that dismantling Alberta Health Services is not the right road to travel in terms of improving the quality and services Albertans expect and need,” she said.

The day of action will also allow nurses to show solidarity, as talks began again Thursday, after UNA members rejected a tentative mediator’s recommendation back in October.

Smith says the last time nurses were this close to a strike was 1997, but in many ways, they’re even closer now than they were then.

“We’re closer to 1988 in terms of the expectations of our numbers and the angst they feel towards what’s happening on a daily basis and what’s happening to healthcare,” she said.

Action at Calgary’s Southport begins at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, while supporters are expected to gather at the new cancer centre starting at 1:30 p.m.