Public sector workers protest wage cuts in Alberta budget

CALGARY (660 NEWS) — The frigid winter weather did not shy away about 200 people from rallying in support of the public sector outside Calgary City Hall on Wednesday.

Waving flags and chanting slogans such as “Jason Kenney has got to go,” the demonstrators were criticizing proposed wage cuts in the Alberta budget.

“Stand up against Jason Kenney and his UCP government’s cuts to public services. His attempts to transform this province for the worse. To divide us from ourselves. To make it harder to go to university and other post-secondary institutions. To make it harder for the City of Calgary workers to take care of the people of Calgary and provide their services,” said CUPE Alberta President Rory Gill.

READ MORE: Labour groups fighting wage cuts, warn of upcoming recession

Numerous groups were represented, including the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE), United Nurses of Alberta and more.

It was also fitting for the demonstration to happen on the steps of City Hall, as earlier this week three councillors proposed a blanket five per cent wage reduction for all city employees — including the Mayor and council.

“Our hope is that city council will stand with us,” said Gill.

“We know that there are city councillors with courage there. We also know there are others who want to turn their tail, crawl under a rock and do Jason Kenney’s bidding. We’ll work with the people that want to work with us and keep this city strong.”

Many cars driving by on Macleod Trail honked in support and even an ambulance turned on the sirens while driving by to indicate support for the demonstration, prompting a massive cheer from the crowd.

The UCP is seeking a two per cent wage reduction in the public sector, to help with their goal of reducing spending by 2.8 per cent and balancing the budget before 2024.

The Blue Ribbon Panel Report on Alberta’s Finances, also known as the MacKinnon Report, found that Alberta spent $26.9 billion on public sector compensation in 2018-19. That represents 55 per cent of the overall operating budget in the province.

The panel added Alberta has higher salaries and benefits than provinces like British Columbia and Ontario, with a higher amount of public employees per capita as well.

But when it comes to cutting some of these wages, protesters said the effects would not just mean a balanced budget — it would involve problems for all Albertans.

“We cannot have a successful province without a strong economy — that includes both private and public sector,” said Siobhan Vipond with the Alberta Federation of Labour. “You cut the public sector, those are job losses. And then those are job losses that result in people not being able to participate.”