For immediate release: Feb 03, 2004

EDMONTON — Members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees hope Premier Ralph Klein will acknowledge the need for adequate funding for health care, education, the environment and a fair wage increase for provincial employees when he addresses Albertans tomorrow evening.

“As we head into Alberta’s second century, it’s clear that most citizens of Alberta want to see our province’s high-quality public services maintained and enhanced,” said AUPE President Dan MacLennan.

Publicly funded health care, education and environmental-protection programs must be high priorities in any long-term plan for the future, MacLennan said. “They all require a commitment from the province for appropriate levels of funding so that services that are best provided by the public sector and which are valued by the people of Alberta can continue to thrive.”

At the same time, as approximately 21,000 direct employees of the province continue to negotiate for a fair wage increase, the government is sticking to its opening position of a one-per-cent increase.

“The Alberta government’s employees are recognized as among the best in the nation,” MacLennan said. “Clearly they deserve a pay increase that reflects their important contribution, the soaring cost of living in Alberta and the province’s continuing financial success.”

“These key items must all be acknowledged and made high priorities in any long-term plan for Alberta’s future,” he said.

MacLennan also called on the government not to use so-called public-private partnerships (P3s) to develop necessary infrastructure. “We hope needed infrastructure development will not involve P3s, which are an unacceptable form of subsidiary for business.”

“We all hope the premier’s televised speech tomorrow will reflect these important realities,” MacLennan concluded.
The premier’s annual televised address to Albertans will be aired at approximately 6:40 p.m. on CFRN in Edmonton and northern Alberta, CFCN in Calgary, Lethbridge and Southern Alberta, and CKSA and CITL in Lloydminster.

In a news release, the Premier’s Communications Office said the program — titled “Heading Toward Alberta’s Second Century” — will summarize the government’s priorities in 2004 and beyond as the province heads into its centennial year in 2005.

For more information, contact:
Dan MacLennan, President, AUPE, 780-930-3301 or 780-232-8392 (cellular phone)
David Climenhaga, Communications Director, AUPE, 780-930-3311 or 780-7171-2943 (cellular phone)