PrintUNA marks 36 years of representing Alberta Nurses
On May 6, 1977, United Nurses of Alberta was founded at a general meeting of the Alberta Association of Registered Nurses (AARN). The vote by 1,300 nurses attending the meeting to create an independent union allowed UNA to take responsibility over collective bargaining for Alberta’s nurses.
From 1966 until 1977, Provincial Staff Nurse Committee of the AARN represented nurses in collective bargaining.
In 1974, the Supreme Court of Canada established the ineligibility of the Saskatchewan Association of Registered Nurses to be the bargaining representatives for nurses, on the grounds that the majority of the officers of the professional association were traditionally employed in management positions. This decision ultimately led to the establishment of independent labour unions for nurses across Canada, including UNA.
Soon after UNA was founded, the majority of Staff Nurse Associations made applications for successor rights to become chartered Locals of UNA.
Since 1977, UNA has been an effective advocate for nurses, the nursing profession and Canada’s public health care system. Today, United Nurses of Alberta is the union for nearly 26,000 Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses and allied workers in Alberta.
