Approximately 80 nursing staff and other specialized seniors care employees will soon return to work at Revera Riverbend, in accordance with the Provincial Emergency Tribunal ordered by the Government.
“Effective this morning, Human Services Minister Dave Hancock ordered a Provincial Emergency Tribunal, which will end the strike at Revera Riverbend,” said AUPE President Guy Smith Tuesday.
The province also sent out a news release Tuesday, saying the labour dispute between members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) and Revera Inc., which operates the Revera Retirement Living-Riverbend in Edmonton, has been referred to binding arbitration with the establishment of a Public Emergency Tribunal (PET).
The declaration of a public emergency brings an end to the strike and lockout at the facility now entering its third month, with the PET authorized to hear the dispute and impose a binding award on the two parties involved. Workers are expected to return to work immediately.
“This has been the longest strike in AUPE’s history – 70 days. Our members stayed strong throughout it, but always were ready to go back to their jobs, caring for the seniors,” said Smith.
The PET was ordered by Human Services Minister Dave Hancock at the recommendation of Health Minister Fred Horne. Alberta Health Services has been conducted inspections of Revera Riverbend since the strike began on June 5, and the province says Alberta Health has conducted weekly monitoring. The most recent inspections and monitoring found a number of deficiencies in the care of the 120 residents.
The Health Minister reported that a recent audit of the Riverbend facility found conditions that posed a risk to the health and safety of residents, resulting in Minister Horne’s recommendation to Minister Hancock.
There has also been controversy over the death of one of Revera’s residents, although the government does not mention the woman in its announcement. The union representing strikers at the facility wants the province to launch an investigation following the
death of the female resident. The AUPE says the woman had been complaining of a sore throat, and allegedly asked replacement staff for an ambulance before her health deteriorated.
“We respect the rights of the bargaining parties under our labour legislation, but we can’t allow situations that threaten the health, safety and well-being of Albertans in care,” Hancock said. “A public emergency has been declared in this case and I have referred the matter to a Public Emergency Tribunal.”
“While there has been a contingency plan in place to ensure the health and safety of residents, it is no longer working. The situation inside the Revera facility has deteriorated,” Horne said. “This latest audit found evidence of conditions that pose an unacceptable level of risk to residents.”
“We regret that thus far we have not been able to achieve a resolution through free collective bargaining,” said Smith, “but we will follow the legal orders issued by the Minister, and continue to negotiate.”
The parties will have a 21-day period to attempt to reach an agreement on their own, with the assistance of a government-appointed mediator. If the parties have not settled their differences by this time, the PET will make a full inquiry and issue an award that is binding on both sides. The terms will be included in their collective agreement.
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