Alberta Health has even told our care team that it is “mathematically impossible” for our members to get a better work schedule or work-life balance. If that's not possible, you would think AHS would solve its recruitment and retention crisis by offering the best wages and benefits possible and striving to be an exemplary employer. Unfortunately, they are not interested in such a solution.
“Health care workers are used to stress and tough hours,” Gostra said, “but why make things harder than they need to be? We provide critical, life-saving care to people across Alberta, and our employers should pay us the wages and benefits we deserve.”
The huge gap between our proposals and those of our employers increases the need for AUPE members to act to win the improved wages, benefits and working conditions that we deserve.
Rallies are being planned across Alberta and are open to all AUPE members, with the first rallies starting in early July and continuing throughout the summer, culminating in a major rally in Edmonton on September 7th.
With so many members in negotiations, including workers in health care, provincial government services, education, boards, agencies and municipalities, there has never been a better time for all 95,000 AUPE members to join forces and fight alongside each other.
“We pride ourselves on supporting each other, and now is the time to prove it,” Gosztola said. “We make a big deal about supporting each other in negotiations, and now is the time to follow through on that promise.”
