Much ado about numbers

Alberta Health Services is not being honest about what is happening to the workforce that United Nurses of Alberta represents. In their recent advertising campaign, AHS is not explaining that the decision to hire more part-time nurses was the choice of Alberta health care policy makers.

AHS is playing with statistics and not telling the whole story. As demonstrated in the image above, more than 7 of 10 Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses working for AHS with a designated full-time equivalent (FTE) work more than 3.5 days per week. 4 in 10 work 5 days per week, or full-time.

While United Nurses of Alberta is prepared to work with AHS to take a rational approach to increasing the number of nurses employed full-time, we believe this ad campaign is an attempt by AHS to distract Albertans from their real plans.

UNA is encouraging its members to talk with their managers and supervisors about the ads and AHS’ proposed scheduling changes.