{"id":14247,"date":"2025-01-26T16:51:05","date_gmt":"2025-01-26T16:51:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/torontotribune.ca\/index.php\/2025\/01\/26\/alberta-nurses-rally-in-several-cities-call-for-better-working-conditions\/"},"modified":"2025-01-26T16:51:05","modified_gmt":"2025-01-26T16:51:05","slug":"alberta-nurses-rally-in-several-cities-call-for-better-working-conditions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/torontotribune.ca\/index.php\/2025\/01\/26\/alberta-nurses-rally-in-several-cities-call-for-better-working-conditions\/","title":{"rendered":"Alberta nurses rally in several cities, call for better working conditions"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Hundreds of nurses rallied Saturday across several cities in Alberta to protest working conditions in hospitals.<\/p>\n

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Attendees of the \u2018Day of Action\u2019 rallies say staff are burning out amidst dwindling resources.<\/p>\n

The rallies took place as contract negotiations continue between the union representing nurses and Alberta Health Servies.<\/p>\n

More than 30,000 members of the United Nurses of Alberta (UNA) Association have been without a contract since April.<\/p>\n

They rejected an offer late last year. Mediation resumed this week.<\/p>\n

Marie-Therese Mageau, president of Local 301, said she and her colleagues have been dealing with an under-resourced healthcare system for the last few years.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re really concerned about the lack of nurses,\u201d Mageau said. \u201cWe need to ensure we have a fair contract to encourage more nurses to come to Alberta.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Mageau joined other healthcare workers outside Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre and called on the province for better wages and working conditions.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have not accounted for the increased population growth. Our emergencies are full and overflowing. Our bed spaces are not enough to deal with those who need to remain in the hospital for care,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

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Events were also held in Calgary, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Olds, Banff, Bonnyville, Red Deer, St. Albert, Slave Lake and Two Hills.<\/p>\n

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In Calgary, nurses raised concerns over the restructuring of Alberta Health Services and a staffing shortage.<\/p>\n

\u201cNurses are being asked to do more and more with less and less, and they want to stand up and demand respect,\u201d UNA second vice-president Karen Kuprys told Global News.<\/p>\n

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\u201cNurses are facing a severe staffing shortage. A staffing crisis actually. We\u2019re seeing many facilities that are having to have temporary closures. Those closures are getting longer and longer.\u201d<\/p>\n