Date: 2021
Location: Edmonton
Profile: Marion McKenzie arrived in Canada from her native Jamaica in 1970 to pursue a nursing career. She enrolled in the University of Alberta Nursing School in 1982 and later joined the Staff Nurses Association, holding a position of Ward Rep. During the ensuing periods of industrial action against Ralph Klein’s austerity measures, and the merger of the Staff Nurses Association and the United Nurses Association, McKenzie saw the transformation in delivery of nursing care. Constant changes caused by layoffs, staff shortages, salary freezes, “bumping,” and turnovers made the workplace very stressful. Attempts to manipulate the unions’ merger had failed and government imposed harsh policies. Long and interlocking night shifts were particularly difficult for nurses.
Throughout her nursing, career McKenzie was attached to the nephrology (kidney transplant and dialysis) unit. She was a devoted Staff Rep for 7 units at the University of Alberta and served as UNA Local 301 Executive Board member. She constantly sought union training and regularly attended Labour School. McKenzie experienced many instances of discrimination but remained devoted to her profession.
Keywords: Alberta Health; “Bumping”; Klein Cuts; Staff Shortages; Strikes; Union mergers; Union training
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See also: Black Communities in Alberta; Systemic Racism in Alberta; United Nurses of Alberta; Women and Work in Alberta