Alberta nurses reject new agreement proposed by mediator

In an online vote Wednesday, Alberta’s nurses rejected the new agreement proposed by the mediator.

United Nurses of Alberta president Heather Smith said the nurses did not feel respected by the proposal and it’s in everyone’s interest to get back to the table as soon as possible.

“This was clearly a vote on whether or not Alberta nurses feel respected,” said Smith. “The membership obviously did not feel respected by this recommended agreement.”

61 per cent voted against the proposal and a discussion will be taking place soon.

“Through the pandemic, inflation over the past several years, and the upheaval in health care, Alberta’s nurses have experienced both tangible and intangible losses,” Smith said. “They spoke clearly yesterday that they expect this to be put right.”