MEDIA RELEASE: Don’t Waste Opportunity to Recognize Front Line Heroes

EDMONTON – AUPE members are calling for Ontario-style pay top ups for front line workers in light of today’s announcement from the federal government of a cost-sharing program with provinces to top up wages.

“Our front line workers have been facing many challenges, a lot of uncertainty, and exposure to the pandemic,” says Alberta Union of Provincial Employees President Guy Smith. “A lot of them have friends and family in private industry like grocery stores who have already seen wage increases to recognize these challenges. Other provinces have already increased public sector wages too.”

After first supporting front-line workers in Ontario with free child care, the Ontario government have also already moved ahead with pay increases of $4 an hour for health-care, social services, and correctional workers.

“Our members help keep Albertans safe, healthy, and support families during this incredibly difficult period. They are not only putting themselves at risk, but come home to their families always worrying if they will be responsible for having them infected too,” says Smith. “I can’t tell you how many have been asking - why doesn’t our government provide the same kind of recognition that employers like the Ontario government and even grocery stores have shown is possible?”

“We also want proper regulation of this funding going to publicly funded private providers like continuing care,” added Smith. “Workers and the public need to be assured that none of the funding provided for staff goes to executive bonuses or profit margins. Let’s get it right and make it happen right away. Our front line heroes deserve this recognition.”

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President Guy Smith is available for interviews.

For more information, contact: Trevor Zimmerman, Communications, 780-919-9975