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AUPE News & Updates
For immediate release: Tuesday, June 24, 2003
Surplus shows Alberta can afford needed funding increases for health,
education, government services: MacLennan
EDMONTON – News today that Alberta has posted a $2-billion 2002-2003
surplus shows once again that the province can afford properly funded
health care, education and important government services, says the president
of Alberta’s largest union.
“We’ve got a funding crisis in health care, education and
many direct government services such as children’s services,”
said Dan MacLennan, president of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees.
“Clearly, the surplus figures released by the government this morning
show that funds are available to deliver the policies that are required
for the long-term economic well-being of our province and to meet the
policy wishes of Alberta’s citizens,” MacLennan said.
“AUPE members working in health and educational facilities tell
us every day that these important public institutions are bursting at
the seams and present funding levels are simply not meeting the needs
of Albertans,” he added.
“If we fail to deliver the services Albertans need over the long
term, the Alberta Advantage will be frittered away,” he said.
MacLennan noted that provincial officials indicated today they expect
Alberta’s population to grow rapidly. “This will put additional
pressure on public institutions that are already under strain,”
he said.
“It’s important that funding levels acknowledge the reality
that our population is increasing and will continue to increase,”
he argued.
At the same time, MacLennan noted, the cost of living is rising and
direct employees of the provincial government are in now negotiations
for a pay increase that must reflect the important work they do for
Alberta and the rising costs they face.
“If we don’t face up to this need, we will have increasing
problems recruiting and retaining good people in the government,”
he said.
“We’re fortunate that we live in a province that can afford
to pay its employees properly and provide the services its citizens
demand,” MacLennan concluded. “It’s important that the
government recognize this as it decides how it will deal with this huge
budget surplus.”
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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