"Mr. Stelmach is hoping our members will help to bail them out of yet another deficit ... he's going to have to wear this one himself – even if it costs him and his party their seats in the next election," says Elisabeth Ballermann, president of HSAA.
Edmonton (18 Oct. 2009) – Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach's threats of 'wage freezes' for public servants will be met with strong resistance, says the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA/NUPGE), a union that represents 18,000 health-care professionals employed in close to 200 health-care discipliness.
"Our members have been down this road before," stated Elisabeth Ballermann, president of the HSAA.
"Health Sciences' members accepted rollbacks in the 1990s thanks to the fiscal mismanagement of the Klein government, and now Mr. Stelmach is hoping our members will help to bail them out of yet another deficit, which was created by his government, during an unprecedented economic boom never experienced by most jurisdictions around the globe.
"Mr. Stelmach is going to have to wear this one himself – even if it costs him and his party their seats in the next election."
In 1993, HSAA members endured a five per cent wage rollback, with the Klein government's assurances of zero job loss. Eventually, hundreds of HSAA members were given pink slips, after the Klein government recanted on its promise. The memory of that betrayal and resulting mistrust remains today.
"We're not prepared to support a government that believes the way to resuscitate an economy is by taking money out of the pockets of Albertans."
Ballermann added: "This government continues to destroy the morale of our province's proud health care professionals."
For more information contact:
Elisabeth Ballermann, President, HSAA - Cell: (780) 991-1274
Scott Pattison, Communications Officer, HSAA - Cell: (780) 405-4684
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE
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