Rural OR

[rschiller@una.ca]

In the event of a strike I understood that our OR (Westlock) would be closed as we are not a urgent trauma centre - We do ortho for fractures and such that are in a "timely" fashion - not RIGHT now timing. I have a couple questions though:

1. Edmonton is telling our management that they cannot close the OR to trauma - We are NEVER a urgent/emergent OR at the best of times and often have service disruptions due to lack of anesthesia coverage. Can Edmonton tell Westlock that they are essential if this is not in the ESA?

2. The RN from the OR, (assuming it would be closed) are slated to move from the OR to the nursing units to work. They are crossed trained, are they able to pull the OR nurses to essentially do RN work to assist the RN

This is very blurry with the closeness of the RN/LPN duties in rural.

[tedwards@una.ca]

Hi Rachel, great questions. These are my thoughts

1. Edmonton is telling our management that they cannot close the OR to trauma - We are NEVER a urgent/emergent OR at the best of times and often have service disruptions due to lack of anesthesia coverage. Can Edmonton tell Westlock that they are essential if this is not in the ESA?

It is up to the Employer to determine what is going to happen with individual departments based on the AUPE ESA levels. If they Employer thinks that your OR can still operate based on their ESA levels then that is a determination they get to make. What can't happen is the Employer cannot direct MORE RNs/RPNs to come in to the OR to cover LPN shortages in order to continue the department's functioning.

2. The RN from the OR, (assuming it would be closed) are slated to move from the OR to the nursing units to work. They are crossed trained, are they able to pull the OR nurses to essentially do RN work to assist the RN

Ultimately, even if the Employee is "cross trained," if their letter of hire is not a float or multi-unit position the Employer CANNOT require them to work on a different unit except in emergency circumstances. However, if they are being told by management to go work a different unit, they MUST be properly oriented and should "work now, grieve later." Additionally, they should NOT be replacing LPNs on other units. Please make sure they are informing our Labour Relations staff ASAP if they are being told to float to other units during a closure due to the strike.

I hope that help!

[jarbour@una.ca]

Great Question Rachel and thanks for the answer Thomas.

If people are reassigned (and it is not the usual day to day practice) please have them contact their Local or LRO.