AAHP CONDEMS THE WAKEHAM GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUED DELAYS ON HEALTH PROFESSIONALS PAY SCALE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
St. John’s, NL – The Association of Allied Health Professionals (AAHP) is publicly calling out Premier Wakeham for failing to respond to repeated requests for engagement while allied health professionals grow increasingly frustrated with a health-care system that is in turmoil and a government that appears unwilling to follow through on its commitments.
“The silence we have received from this new administration is infuriating,” noted union president Gordon Piercey, “especially given the recent Speech from the Throne, where health care was identified as a top priority.”
Piercey said there are multiple issues of significant concern to the union and its membership.
“Our membership is outraged by the delays that have occurred while working to establish a new health professional pay scale, which was negotiated by AAHP during its last round of bargaining with Government,” he said. “This commitment is a key component of the current AAHP collective agreement and was essential in resolving the last round of highly contentious negotiations between Government and the union.”
“This is not just bureaucratic delay — it is complete disrespect to our members,” said Piercey. “Our members have been patient. They negotiated this process in good faith. They have waited through elections, caretaker periods, and procedural excuses. What they are seeing now is clear avoidance.”
Following a virtual Town Hall held with members on February 25, it is clear that the pay scale remains the number one priority for allied health professionals. Members expressed deep frustration with the continued delays and demanded immediate action.
“We have seen health professionals adversely impacted by government decisions and actions for well over a decade,” Piercey noted, adding that many of the inequities originated when Government established a new job evaluation system in 2015.
Allied health professionals provide essential services across Newfoundland and Labrador’s health-care system. Recruitment and retention challenges persist across multiple occupations, and a modernized, permanent pay scale is a key component of workforce stability.
“When allied health professionals leave the province or positions remain vacant, patients wait longer for diagnostic services, rehabilitation, and treatment,” said Piercey. “These delays ultimately affect the entire health-care system.”
AAHP has reached out to Premier Wakeham directly to discuss this issue and related workforce challenges. Premier Wakeham did not respond and instead diverted the issue to other officials — despite having publicly stated that he has met with all health-care unions.
“Let us be clear: the Premier has met with other health unions but has not met with AAHP,” said Piercey. “That sends a message — and it is not a positive one.”
While serving as Leader of the Opposition, Premier Wakeham met with AAHP leadership and members on multiple occasions, including attending and speaking at a union demonstration led by AAHP members in January 2024 in Portugal Cove–St. Phillips. At that time, he publicly expressed support for allied health professionals and their efforts to achieve fair compensation.
Now that he is in a position to act on those commitments, his government has yet to follow through.
“The Premier’s about-face in his support for allied health professionals is having a disastrous effect on recruitment and retention of highly sought-after health professionals,” noted Piercey. “It will inevitably set a difficult tone as we move into contract negotiations in the coming months.”
AAHP is calling on the Provincial Government to immediately reconvene the Health Professionals Pay Scale Committee and honour the commitment made during bargaining.
“This issue will not quietly disappear,” said Piercey. “Our members have waited long enough, and they expect the government to honour the commitments it made.”
– 30 –
Media Contact:
Erin Curran
Lupine Communications
709-325-7193
erin@lupinecommunications.com