The union representing thousands of continuing care workers is urging the Alberta government to pass legislation aimed at improving conditions for seniors and workers, while keeping private care providers in check. The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) announced on Friday that years of unchecked privatization have left the seniors care system in disarray.
System in Crisis
"This continuing care sector is collapsing around us," said AUPE president Sandra Azocar. She highlighted that care workers are raising alarms about short-staffing, poor working conditions, and an inability to provide quality service for seniors, while private providers profit excessively.
"Seniors have become an ATM for most of these operators," Azocar stated.
Demands for Change
The union is calling for mandated minimum staffing levels, including a requirement of at least 4.1 direct care hours per resident per day. AUPE also wants an end to policies that push patients with complex needs into continuing care facilities, a tactic used to free up hospital beds but often resulting in readmissions.
These remarks follow a recent bargaining conference in Calgary, where AUPE members in continuing care were told to prepare for a strike. Azocar noted that 17,000 members are currently in bargaining with several care providers across the province.
"They are preparing for the possibility of strike action if working conditions are not improved," AUPE said in a statement. However, Azocar acknowledged that some members might be unable to strike due to essential services agreements, which could classify all workers as essential in understaffed facilities.
Calls for Transparency
AUPE is asking the province to reform the essential services agreement. Earlier this month, Alberta committed $400 million for 1,100 continuing care spaces, with a record $34.4-billion health budget citing an aging population. Azocar expressed concern that most funds would go to private facilities lacking transparency and oversight.
She urged the province to pass legislation requiring full disclosure of how public dollars are spent in the continuing care private sector. The majority of service providers in Alberta operate outside the public system, either as non-profit or for-profit entities, with costs often out of reach for many Albertans.
