HSAA will represent paramedics across Alberta

'With this decision, a majority of EMS personnel across Alberta will now have a unified voice.' - Elisabeth Ballermann.

Edmonton (20 March 2009) - The Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA/NUPGE) will play a pivotal role in the future of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) following a decision by the provincial government to maintain the current structure of four provincial health care bargaining units.

Hector Goudreau, Alberta's employment and immigration minister, announced this week that a majority of EMS personnel in the province will be moved into one of the existing bargaining units.

EMS personnel will be placed in the existing Paramedical Professional and Technical unit, currently represented by the HSAA.

“With this decision, a majority of EMS personnel across Alberta will now have a unified voice, both in the field and at the bargaining table,” says HSAA President Elisabeth Ballermann.

The overall transition of ground ambulance services is expected to be complete by April 1 - at which time EMS Services will no longer be a municipal responsibility and thus will fall under the jurisdiction of the provincial government.

“We've represented and advocated on behalf of this proud health care discipline for more than 30 years, a legacy that’s not gone unnoticed by the provincial government,” Ballermann says.

The Alberta Labour Relations Board will administer the transition of approximately 1,000 ambulance employees affected. The change is expected to commence in early April.

“We are going to move expeditiously to ensure this process is undertaken as smoothly as possible for these employees,” says Ballermann.

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE