United Nurses of Alberta has now been informed that more than 2,000 positions held by Registered Nurses represented by the union working in public health roles will be transferred from Alberta Health Services (AHS) to the new Primary Care Alberta (PCA) agency.
 
The government announced that the staff transfer from AHS to PCA is effective July 1, 2025. Formal transfer notices are expected to be delivered to employees on May 27 and 28.
 
Although UNA remains deeply concerned about the chaos caused by this restructuring on nurses and their ability to deliver the best patient care possible within the public health care system, a Letter of Understanding signed by United Nurses of Alberta and AHS on May 31, 2024, which is now part of the Provincial Collective Agreement, retains and expands the rights of Employees affected by the creation of new Provincial Health Agencies and public health corporations.
 
The announcement is part of the Alberta government’s ongoing restructuring of the publicly owned and operated AHS agency into four separate sector-based provincial health agencies: Primary Care Alberta (covering physicians and public health), Acute Care Alberta (hospitals and other facilities), Recovery Alberta (mental health and addiction) and Assisted Living Alberta (continuing care).
 
Despite previously informing UNA that the primary care, acute care, and continuing care agencies would be responsible for governance and policy but not be Employers, that changed in the case of Primary Care Alberta and Recovery Alberta, which will now be Employers.
 
As was the case when Employees were transferred from AHS to Recovery Alberta last year, Employees currently represented by UNA will remain represented by UNA when they are transferred to their new Employer, Primary Care Alberta.
 
Under the LOU, Employees will have the option to transfer to the new Employer or to remain employed with AHS, with full rights to displace or fill a vacant position under Article 15 of the Provincial Collective Agreement. If members wish to transfer with their positions, they need not do anything. Affected members who do not want to transfer with their position may decline the transfers and displace within AHS. Indirectly affected Employees displaced by affected Employees will have, in addition to full Article 15 rights, the right to select a vacant position at PCA.
 
All affected Employees transferred from AHS to PCA will initially be treated as a part of a single bargaining unit for the purpose of administering the current Provincial Collective Agreement. This will last until the payroll transfer date. UNA does not yet know when this payroll transfer date will take place.
 
A tiered system for hiring and downsizing will also take effect, meaning that PCA Employees will no longer be treated as internal candidates when applying for vacant positions within AHS but they will be considered ahead of other external applicants not employed by a provincial health agency.
 
In the event of future downsizing, PCA employees will have the ability to displace within PCA or apply for vacant positions within AHS. If a PCA Employee is laid off, they can be recalled to any of the four sector-based health care agencies.
 
The LOU also applies to casual Employees who pick up additional shifts, and includes provisions for Employees on Leaves of Absence, Workers’ Compensation, and Disability.
 
This page will be updated and the union will share more information as we receive it.
 
Documents for impacted members
 
Explaining the transition from AHS to Primary Care Alberta (FAQ)
This frequently asked questions document answers some of the key questions that UNA members have about how their employment will be impacted if their positions are moved to the new sector-based provincial health authority responsible for primary care.
 
Letter of Understanding re: Health Care Refocusing
This LOU signed by UNA and Alberta Health Services retains and expands the rights of Employees affected by the creation of Primary Care Alberta and other future Provincial Health Agencies.
 
FAQ: Transition of Employees Pursuant to Health Care Refocusing
This frequently asked questions document answers some of the key questions that UNA members have about the rights of Employees affected by the creation of Primary Care Alberta.
 
UNA Layoff & Recall FAQ:
This guide provides UNA members, locals, and staff with answers to the questions most frequently asked about layoff and position elimination.
 
Employer/UNA Joint Layoff & Recall Statements:
This document is intended to be a resource document that guides Employer Human Resources and UNA Labour Relations Officers through the layoff and recall process. Where these joint statements contradict statements in the UNA Layoff and Recall Manual or the AHS Layoff and Recall Manual, this document takes precedence.