CANADA
The Government of the Canadian Province of Alberta has announced it will seek to cut the pay of some 180,000 Public Servants by 2 per cent during binding arbitration hearings.
Minister for Finance, Travis Toews (pictured) said while the Province had great respect for its workers, public sector wages accounted for more than half of Government expenses and were higher than comparable provinces.
“We cannot ask Alberta taxpayers to fund public sector pay raises during a time when far too many workers in the private sector have lost their jobs and many others have seen significant pay cuts in recent years,” Mr Toews said.
Workers affected include nurses, social workers, hospital support staff, prison guards, conservation officers, toxicologists, restaurant inspectors, therapists and sheriffs.
The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, representing about 65,000 workers, is asking for a 6 per cent pay increase.
The United Nurses of Alberta, representing about 30,000 nurses, is calling for a 3 per cent raise after facing years of flat wages.
However, Mr Toews warned that any pay rise granted by the arbitrators would result in job losses, saying the recently passed Provincial Budget did not have any provision for public sector wage increases.
“If the price goes up, we may have to look at further reductions in the Public Service,” Mr Toews said.
Edmonton, 2 November 2019
