HSAA on the march

By Lethbridge Herald on October 3, 2025.

Members of the Health Science Association of Albrta (HSAA) demonstrate in front of Chinook Regional Hospital (CRH) Thursday, calling for a better deal from the provincial government. HSAA negotiations with Alberta Health Services (AHS) broke down in early September.

Joe Manio
Lethbridge Herald
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Unionized health care professionals rallied in front of Chinook Regional Hospital (CRH) Thursday, joining thousands of others outside health centres across the province to call for a better deal from the provincial government. 

The Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) represents about 29,000 paramedical, professional, and general support employees in the public and private healthcare sectors of Alberta. This includes a wide range of health-care disciplines such as paramedics, psychologists, lab technologists, and respiratory therapists.

Members of the Health Service Alliance of Alberta gathered at their work sites Thursday for a “Day of Unity” after a majority of members voted to reject the latest offer from Alberta Health Services, which union leaders say didn’t do enough to address the serious challenges faced by health-care professionals in Alberta.

More than 100 HSAA members demonstrated outside CRH for over an hour, carrying signs, waving flags, chanting slogans and making noise with hand-held “clappers.”

“Albertans deserve expert medical care delivered by a team of well-supported and well-resourced professionals,”  said HSAA President Mike Parker in a statement. “But right now, unsustainable workloads, constant short staffing and severe burnout are driving professionals out of the health system and out of Alberta, creating a crisis in our hospitals and health centres.” 

HSAA negotiations with AHS broke down in early September when union members rejected a tentative agreement which had been recommended by the union’s own bargaining team. 

This followed months of difficult negotiations marked by disagreements over wages and concessions.

“The government’s last offer failed to address these issues and now, we are asking Albertans to join us in supporting health professionals so they can deliver the care we deserve,” says Parker.

Despite the bargaining committee recommending the deal to its members, nearly 80 per cent of the members voted against it. 

A central issue in the bargaining process was the monetary offer from AHS, which the HSAA described as insulting, and argued would lead to wage freezes. 

The union also contended that AHS representatives were unwilling to discuss fair wages and were also pushing for concessions in the collective agreement. 

Proposals included potential cancellation of on-call shifts without notice and adjustments to shift differential premiums, which would lead to lost wages for workers. 

The union believes AHS disrespected its workers and was ready to take further action, including a strike vote, if a satisfactory agreement cannot be reached.