UNA Forums

I received the recent update from management regarding staffing during ESA, and I’m hoping to get some clarification. On our Acute Care unit, the current plan appears to be that the patient load normally covered by four nurses will now be divided between three nurses due to the LPN being removed from 0700–2300.

I want to ensure I am understanding this correctly, as this would significantly increase the patient load for each nurse. I recognize that ESA staffing during a strike may involve adjustments and may not be comfortable, but I am concerned about how this change aligns with maintaining safe patient care. At what point does “uncomfortable” become “unsafe,” and what measures are in place to prevent unsafe workloads?

Who decides if a manager is competent or qualified? Our manager will not be working the floor but instead will be providing support like stocking. I thought managers were required to work if the ESA doesn't provide enough coverage?

Thanks,
Bonnie Dale
local 191

Hi, thank you for your message.

Under the law, capable and qualified non-union management employees are expected to do the work of striking employees and AUPE is required to send in striking members under the workplace ESA if there are not enough exempt employees to meet the minimum threshold. AUPE’s ESA states: “During a strike or lockout at a site, the Employer shall not … assign work that would normally be performed by an employee in the bargaining unit that is on strike or lockout to employees in other bargaining units.”

The decision regarding which managers are capable and qualified would be a discussion between management and AUPE.

Concerns about patient load being redistributed should be raised with management. RNs should not be being assigned the work of a striking employee. If RNs are ordered to do this work our advice is to do the work and let your LRO know.

If the staffing has been reduced by an LPN then that likely reflects that AUPE and the Employer agreed that there were services on the unit that were not essential and that staffing could therefore be reduced. If staffing is reduced it should not result in the same amount of work being performed by fewer people. As Joanne, explains if the work still needs to be performed (ie. it is essential) then either a NUEE/Manager will be assigned or the employer may need to request AUPE to provide additional staffing to deliver only those services that are essential.