Auxiliary Nursing Care negotiations update: Minister Horner

"We are disappointed to hear the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) has provided official notice of their intent to strike on Saturday morning. The government has been clear from the beginning - we hope the AUPE and Alberta Health Services (AHS) reach a negotiated settlement.

"We value the important work AUPE's licensed practical nurse (LPN) and health care aide (HCA) staff provide to Albertans and our heath care system.

"The AUPE was offered a fair and reasonable deal that was highly competitive with the other provinces across Canada.

"Regardless, we want to assure Albertans that AHS has contingency plans in place in case of a strike.

"This withdrawal of services would constitute an essential services strike, which means the parties have already concluded an agreement that ensures staffing levels will be maintained to support essential services during this job action.

"This means that 80 per cent of the LPNs and HCAs will continue working for the duration of the strike to support essential services, while only 20 per cent are legally permitted to withdraw services from non-essential services.

"AHS will be communicating further on which non-essential services will be impacted by the strike in the coming days.

"To be clear, Alberta's government is committed to working with AHS and AUPE to explore any and all options and interventions available. Our goal is to resolve these negotiations and avoid unnecessary disruptions to health care services.

"We strongly encourage the parties to come back to the table.

"We remain hopeful the parties can arrive at an agreement that is fair for workers, responsible for taxpayers, and supports stability in our health-care system."