The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) filed hundreds of grievances over Alberta Health Services’ COVID-19 testing program, as hundreds of unvaccinated staff return to work..According to AHS, 500 of the 1,400 unvaccinated staff and physicians have opted into the temporary COVID-19 frequent testing program and are returning to work. AHS staff and healthcare workers who remain unvaccinated are required to pay for off-site testing from AHS-approved testing facilities. .AUPE said the lack of available tests and costs associated with testing for many of the staff and medical workers are creating “barriers” for their return to work and has filed hundreds of grievances against AHS and other healthcare providers..AUPE Vice-President Bonnie Gostola told the CBC its members want to return to work, “but they don’t have the choice because they can’t afford it or they can’t find tests.”.“It has to be realistic. It has to be universal, said Gostola, adding AHS flip-flopped and the policy now “applies to some, but not to others.” .“Those that weren’t vaccinated, that have chosen to go back to work are doing it at their own expense — which we have filed policy grievances against — because we believe our employers here should be paying that cost..“It’s not fair. And that’s what we’re advocating for is if you’re going to put a policy in place that it has to be fair across the board.”.The Western Standard contacted AHS to inquire about the 900 employees who have yet to return to work, but did not receive a response in time for publishing..Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com
The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) filed hundreds of grievances over Alberta Health Services’ COVID-19 testing program, as hundreds of unvaccinated staff return to work..According to AHS, 500 of the 1,400 unvaccinated staff and physicians have opted into the temporary COVID-19 frequent testing program and are returning to work. AHS staff and healthcare workers who remain unvaccinated are required to pay for off-site testing from AHS-approved testing facilities. .AUPE said the lack of available tests and costs associated with testing for many of the staff and medical workers are creating “barriers” for their return to work and has filed hundreds of grievances against AHS and other healthcare providers..AUPE Vice-President Bonnie Gostola told the CBC its members want to return to work, “but they don’t have the choice because they can’t afford it or they can’t find tests.”.“It has to be realistic. It has to be universal, said Gostola, adding AHS flip-flopped and the policy now “applies to some, but not to others.” .“Those that weren’t vaccinated, that have chosen to go back to work are doing it at their own expense — which we have filed policy grievances against — because we believe our employers here should be paying that cost..“It’s not fair. And that’s what we’re advocating for is if you’re going to put a policy in place that it has to be fair across the board.”.The Western Standard contacted AHS to inquire about the 900 employees who have yet to return to work, but did not receive a response in time for publishing..Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com
