Last Thursday, we attended the counting of the Central Health ballots at the Labour Relations Board.  It is with the greatest regret that we had to announce that AAHP was unsuccessful in the vote.  NAPE has been affirmed as the bargaining agent to represent allied health professionals in Central Health

 In consultation with our legal counsel, Dana Lenehan, we fought the application as much as we possibly could.   Our latest objection was to the timing of the vote.  We asked the Labour Relations Board to postpone the vote until positions with Child Youth and Family Services were transferred, however that application was also denied.  We’ve continued to consult with our legal counsel however he does not see any other course for us to take on this matter and therefore, we must accept the outcome of the vote, as it is – with NAPE becoming the bargaining agent for allied health professionals in Central Health.

The situation as it pertains to Eastern Health is significantly different for the following reasons:

1.       AAHP has approximately 200 more members than the NAPE HP Bargaining unit in Eastern Health

2.      There is no application pending before the Labour Relations Board at this time.

3.      If an application was to be submitted in the near future, it is quite possible that positions currently with Eastern Health performing duties relating to Child Youth and Family Services will be transferred to that new government Department prior to a vote being ordered for Eastern Health.  Thus improving AAHP numbers in Eastern Health vs. NAPE.

I want to assure you that AAHP remains a strong and vibrant union.  The AAHP Executive and Board are determined that we will continue to fight for our survival.  We will not let any one to make moves to destroy the union we have built over the past thirty five years.  It was the health care professionals in the eastern region of Newfoundland that organized AAHP in 1975. The hurdles our founders had to overcome then are not much different that the hurdles we have to overcome now.  Our strength has to come from our dedicated members who are prepared to stand their ground to demonstrate that we have a community of interest as allied health professionals.

Recent history has demonstrated that government listens to unions with a common goal and message.  This was evident when the Nurses Union (NLNU) stood strong together for what they viewed to be their needs.  If all allied health professionals were in their own union, a health professional union representing only health professionals, we too would have the cohesiveness of having the same message to send to government.  Our goal is to maintain our strength in Eastern Health and rebuild our union over time.

As President of AAHP,  I am determined that we will show that AAHP is prepared to maintain its voice and to remain as a union that gives exemplary  attention to every member and group, regardless of size.  Your support  and commitment to AAHP is vital to maintaining and building a health professional union representing health professionals.  Together with solidarity we will Make Life Better.