Notwithstanding clause “highly unlikely” in nurse strike: Horner

Alberta Finance Minister Nate Horner says it is “highly unlikely” his government would invoke the notwithstanding clause to end a potential strike by unionized nurses.

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Alberta Finance Minister Nate Horner says it is “highly unlikely” his government would invoke the notwithstanding clause to end a potential strike by unionized nurses, urging the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees to return to the table with a “reasonable” proposal.

Speaking to reporters at the Alberta Legislature on Wednesday, Horner said, “When we used this on the teachers, I’ve said it many times, there’s a very specific situation: two levels of bargaining; kids already out of class for three weeks. It is highly unlikely that you would ever need to be used in a situation where you have a single-tier bargaining unit, and it’s an essential service. So highly, highly unlikely.”

Asked if the clause was off the table, Horner replied, “I’m hesitant to ever take anything totally off the table. It’s a tool that the government has, but it’s certainly not something that we’re focused on.”

Horner said he watched part of the AUPE’s press conference announcing its strike vote and that it’s clear they want a negotiated deal.

The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees said ni a press release that 98 per cent of its nursing care members voted in favour of strike action, with 10,812 of 11,031 ballots cast supporting a walkout. The vote must still be certified by the Alberta Labour Relations Board.

“Today is a pivotal day in the history of our union,” said AUPE President Sandra Azocar at a press conference. “Our nursing care members have spoken, and they have spoken loud and clear. They have had a tough and strong decision to say enough of the disregard of the value of the work that they do on behalf of Albertans, day in and day out.”

Azocar said mediation would resume from November 6 to 9, with the earliest possible strike notice on November 17.

“Our members would rather do their jobs, but they are prepared to stand up for what they deserve and to take job action if necessary,” she said.

Lead negotiator Kate Robinson said the sides remain “very far apart.”

“The employer is offering 12 per cent over four years in terms of wage increases, and they even still have some rollbacks on the table specifically to wages,” she said. “We are simply seeking wages that represent the work that is being done in the workplace by these healthcare workers.”

In a written statement, Horner said AUPE’s proposal would cost taxpayers more than $2 billion, pointing to the union’s request for salary increases of 40 to 55 per cent.

“I know of no healthcare workers anywhere in Canada who have received this type of salary increase,” he said in a press release. “AHS’s offer to AUPE provides the entire auxiliary nursing care bargaining unit with a 12 per cent wage increase over four years — consistent with agreements reached with other public service employees, including the civil service and RNs.”

He added, “I encourage the union to reconsider its proposal and return to the bargaining table with an offer that is reasonable and fair.”

The strike vote comes amid escalating public sector labour tensions.

Premier Danielle Smith’s governmentrecently invoked the notwithstanding clause to end a province-wide teachers’ strike through the Back to School Act, prompting the Alberta Federation of Labour tothreaten a general strike in response.