EDMONTON – Albertans expect sound management of provincial programs as well as debt repayment, said AUPE President Dan MacLennan after Tuesday’s provincial annual report revealed a 2001-2002 surplus of $772 million.

The government said in a statement that the bulk of the surplus would be funneled into debt repayment.

"Money was taken from programs that are considered important by Albertans after the provincial budget this spring," said the president of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees. "Now it’s clear that the funds are available.

"While debt reduction is a popular program and a legitimate part of the government’s policy, we believe Albertans will have serious second thoughts as they realize the implications of not also maintaining programs like health care and post-secondary education that they consider to be vital," MacLennan said.

"Too much emphasis on debt reduction creates the impression the government is trying to achieve a public relations goal at the expense of legitimate and needed government activities," he said.

"Sufficient money is available to accomplish both goals."

MacLennan also cautioned that major policy decisions cannot be made in isolation of one another.

"You cannot give large raises to some groups, as has happened in health care, and not treat other groups fairly," he said.

AUPE is now in negotiations for new contracts for more than 19,000 workers in the health services sector and well over 4,000 employees of educational institutions throughout Alberta, MacLennan noted.

"Sufficient funds are available to treat these important members of our province’s health care and educational systems in a balanced and fair manner," MacLennan said.

"We have been concerned by the offers put forward by some employer negotiators that suggest pay increases of two-per-cent a year are appropriate in these economic times," MacLennan added.

"AUPE members who deliver front-line nursing care, mental health services, and other health care services in all 17 health regions, and who do vital work at universities and colleges all over the province, deserve better than that."


For more information, contact:
Dan MacLennan, President, AUPE, 780-930-3301 or 780-910-8392 (cellular phone)
David Climenhaga, Communications Director, AUPE, 780-930-3311 or 780-717-2943 (cellular phone)

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