Alberta nurses rally in several cities, call for better working conditions [Video]

Hundreds of nurses rallied Saturday across several cities in Alberta to protest working conditions in hospitals.

Attendees of the ‘Day of Action’ rallies say staff are burning out amidst dwindling resources.

The rallies took place as contract negotiations continue between the union representing nurses and Alberta Health Servies.

More than 30,000 members of the United Nurses of Alberta (UNA) Association have been without a contract since April.

They rejected an offer late last year. Mediation resumed this week.

Marie-Therese Mageau, president of Local 301, said she and her colleagues have been dealing with an under-resourced healthcare system for the last few years.

“We’re really concerned about the lack of nurses,” Mageau said. “We need to ensure we have a fair contract to encourage more nurses to come to Alberta.”

Mageau joined other healthcare workers outside Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre and called on the province for better wages and working …