930 government positions targeted as pandemic second wave hits
EDMONTON – The UCP government has launched another attack on workers, public services and the Albertans who rely on them with another round of job cuts.
“We have been notified that 930 Government of Alberta (GOA) jobs are on the line, with cuts due to begin immediately,” says Guy Smith, president of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE), which represents more than 90,000 workers. “Some workers are being told today that their jobs are gone.”
The information came in a disclosure letter to AUPE’s negotiations team bargaining a new collective agreement with the GOA. (see attachment at bottom of page). Bargaining dates are scheduled on Nov. 5, 12 and 13.
“Jason Kenney promised us jobs, but all he’s brought is pain, with layoffs, abolishments, cutbacks, cuts to public services, and tax holidays for billionaires that hurt everyone. He’s not the premier of Albertans, but the premier of betrayals.”
Smith will hold a press conference on cuts to jobs and services at 2 p.m. at AUPE headquarters at 10451 170 St., Edmonton. Media are invited to attend.
Many of these new cuts are concentrated in rural areas affecting wildfire management, farm-safety programs, the 4H program, business development in Brooks and Leduc and other areas of Agriculture and Forestry (see attachment at bottom of page).
“The UCP government is taking rural Albertans for granted. They think they have your support no matter what they do. They are counting on your vote then betraying you,” says Smith. “It is inconceivable that anyone would gamble with the lives of Albertans by cutting wildfire management. Has Kenney forgotten what wildfires do or does he just not care?”
Other potential cuts in jobs and services are aimed at Alberta’s most vulnerable people, with programs being cut at the Michener Centre in Red Deer and with the government still considering a plan to privatize care group homes for people with disabilities in Calgary and Edmonton. This could mean moving residents from homes against their will and the wishes of family members and the loss of 344 jobs of dedicated care staff.
The McCullough Centre in the community of Gunn, about 90 kms north-west of Edmonton, will close with the loss of 63 jobs. The centre helps homeless men with mental-health and addiction issues transition to stable, healthy lifestyles where they find employment and secure housing.
Alberta Jobs Corp., which operates across the province, will also close. It works with people who normally struggle to find employment with training and job placement.
“It is appalling that this government has nearly $5 billion to waste in tax giveaways to already profitable corporations, but is seeking to cut services on which our most fragile citizens depend. To do this while the second wave of COVID-19 is sweeping over the province is dangerous,” says Smith.
“Kenney and his caviar conservatives need money for their corporate pals and they are going to make Albertans with disabilities, rural communities and Alberta workers pay for it. They just don’t care who gets hurt,” he says.
“This is not what Albertans want. They will resist these attacks and AUPE members will be part of that fight. Jason Kenney needs to remember who we are. We are AUPE. When we fight, we win.”
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Guy Smith is available for interviews for media that cannot attend the press conference.
For more information, contact Terry Inigo-Jones, communications officer, 403-831-4394.