LETHBRIDGE—Members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) who work at Extendicare Fairmont Park will be holding a protest tomorrow, October 6, at 11:00 a.m. in front of their workplace.
Workers will be demanding that Extendicare, a for-profit continuing-care company, immediately cease its attempts to slash their working conditions. The Ontario-based corporation had previously attempted to cut AUPE members wages by four per cent, and continues to push cuts to workers’ health benefits, dental benefits and retirement plans. Extendicare is also proposing to cut workers’ sick time by 15 per cent, a particularly egregious assault given the context of the ongoing pandemic.
“It’s honestly insulting that Extendicare is trying to attack working conditions at their care homes,” says Karen Weiers, vice-president of AUPE. “These workers have been keeping residents safe through the pandemic, at great risk to themselves and their families. How can some corporate executive justify cutting their benefits?”
“Here in Alberta, we support healthcare workers,” Weiers says. “We won’t accept attacks on the people who have kept our parents and grandparents safe for the past year and a half. Extendicare should be offering improvements in working conditions, to retain current staff and attract more workers—not slashing benefits, which will only drive workers away and worsen the labour shortage that plagues Alberta’s healthcare system.
Media are invited to attend the rally, and to respect all relevant public health measures, including masks and social distancing.
Fight Extendicare’s Cuts Rally
Wednesday October 6, 2021
11:00 a.m.
Extendicare Fairmont Park
115 Fairmont Blvd. S., Lethbridge
Karen Weiers is available for interviews. Please contact Jon Milton, Communications Officer, at j.milton@aupe.org