Local members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) let their voices be heard on Tuesday, August 27.
The group was in front of Drumheller Health Centre marching in the Time for Action Bargaining Rally.
Central Region Vice President Darren Graham was on hand as well as Vice President Bonnie Gostola.
“Negotiations are slowly going on but we are still seeing a lot of disrespect at the tables,” said Graham. “We have 82,000 members who are in negotiations throughout the province.”
He said most of the workers on the line are healthcare workers. Local 57 represents general support workers such as cleaning, and building maintenance. Locally they represent 350 members including staff at the Royal Tyrrell Museum, the Government of Alberta and Bleriot Ferry workers. Local 44 represents auxiliary nurses.
There to support the workers, were members of the United Nurses of Alberta (UNA), who are also in negotiations.
This rally came shortly after comments from the premier about removing AHS as operators if facilities are not providing the services.
“Healthcare shouldn’t be contracted to the highest bidder, it is creating fear in healthcare, and not creating a caring environment. They are already cutting every corner they can. We have already seen laundry privatized years ago,” said Graham. “My understanding on that one is they are already a quarter of a million dollars over what they said their savings should be.”
He believes that represented members should be able to have a living wage.
“We have folks here who are not making a living wage in Alberta. A living wage in Alberta is around $22 an hour. We have folks who are making $20.02 after being in the kitchen for 38 years,” he said. “These are the folks who provide care for Albertans every single day, 24/7- 365. These are the folks who get to know your family members when they are in care, they are the folks who sit on the front line when you walk into a government office and have to demand services.”
“Those are real challenges the government doesn’t see. As short staffing happens and we see our coworkers crumbling, it is a negative spiral.”
