I read with interest your Aug. 8 editorial, ‘MLA pay cuts a sign of good faith’ and appreciate you calling on the provincial government to treat front line public sector workers fairly. I also want to clear up a few things for your readers.
Your assertion that public sector wage “increases are not sustainable” fails to take into account that AUPE members working for AHS and GOA haven’t had a wage increase since 2016. Last fall, our members agreed to no wage increases for 2017/2018 based on the employer’s promise to go back to the table to negotiate wages in 2019.
Alberta’s economy grew by approximately 4.4 per cent in 2017 and 2.4 per cent in 2018. From May, 2017 to May, 2018, the average weekly earnings in Alberta increased 2.6 per cent, followed by an increase of 3.4 per cent from May, 2018 to May, 2019. Public sector wages have been frozen throughout that time.
When you stop to look at the facts, the myth that public sector workers do so much better than their private sector counterparts is exposed as just that, a myth. I know that a lot of Albertans have been struggling these past few years and it’s important to remember that our members are Albertans, too, and they have seen their spending power diminished significantly relative to their private sector counterparts.
Dr. Trevor Tombe from the University of Calgary posted a series of tweets last week in response to misinformation about public sector earnings being spread by the Premier. He noted that public sector compensation as a share of total labour compensation in Alberta was the smallest of all the provinces.
It’s quite true that there are a number of upper level managers in government making very large salaries and living the high life on the public dime. It is also true that the health care aides who care for your loved ones when they are in need have a starting wage that is less than $20 per hour. It is important for both you and your readers to distinguish between the two.
AUPE represents 95,000 Albertans who work very hard to make all of our lives better. They are health care aides, peace officers, and laundry workers. They are our neighbours. I believe they deserve everything they get paid and then some.
Susan Slade, Vice President
Alberta Union of Provincial Employees
