CFNU president comments on false raiding allegations against UNA in letter to nurse union leaders

Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions President Linda Silas has sent a letter to the executives of all affiliated provincial nurses’ unions regarding the false allegations of raiding that have been made against United Nurses of Alberta.
 
In her letter, delivered yesterday, Silas pointed out that “supporting nurses is not violating the constitution of the Canadian Labour Congress, of which we are proud members, nor is it union raiding in any sense.”
 
“Let me be clear here,” she stated, “UNA didn’t initiate the group of LPNs seeking change of classification in Alberta. UNA merely answered the Labour Board’s call and validated what we have all known for the past 20+ years. The role, scope and education level of LPNs have increased, and we are all doing direct-care nursing.”
 
Silas said she was disappointed to see unions misrepresenting the work of nurses’ unions instead of working collaboratively, and she urged the CFNU leaders to read UNA’s submission to the Alberta Labour Relations Board, the letter from CUPE about UNA, and CFNU’s reply to the CLC about CUPE’s letter.
 
For additional information, read UNA’s statement and FAQ published yesterday.