AUPE hosting rally for Red Deer nursing homes tomorrow, Aug. 10
RED DEER – Alberta Union of Provincial Employees members who work at the Red Deer Nursing Home and Valley Park Manor and their supporters will hold a rally at Red Deer City Hall Park tomorrow, Aug. 10, to oppose the government’s plan to close the two long-term care centres.
WHO: AUPE President Guy Smith, nursing home employees and supporters
WHAT: Public rally
WHERE: City Hall Park, 4914 – 48 Ave., Red Deer
WHEN: Members gather at 4:00 p.m., Speakers begin 4:30 p.m.
WHY: To oppose closing of Red Deer Nursing Home and Valley Park Manor
“Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky, Seniors Minister Mary Anne Jablonski, and Progressive Conservative MLAs from across Central Alberta have ignored the pleas of seniors and their families to keep these nursing homes open. This rally will give them another chance to listen to Albertans,” said AUPE President Guy Smith.
Smith noted that the union has collected more than 5,471 signatures on a petition to keep the 216 long-term care beds in the nursing homes open. Additionally, nearly 250 people have used the union’s online tool to send letters to their MLAs.
“When 230 people in Central Alberta are on a waiting list for long-term care, it just doesn’t make sense to close 216 beds. Everyone understands that, with the exception of Progressive Conservative MLAs, of course,” Smith said.
The rally will begin with members from the two worksites gathering at City Hall Park at 4:00 p.m. Speakers will begin at 4:30 p.m., and include AUPE President Guy Smith, Brenda Corney of Friends of Medicare’s Red Deer chapter, NDP Leader Brian Mason, Alberta Liberal MLA Kevin Taft and a representative of the Central Alberta Council on Aging.
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For more information:
Guy Smith, President, AUPE – 780-930-3301 or 780-265-2294 (cellular phone)
David Climenhaga, Communications Director, AUPE – 780-930-3311 or 780-717-2943 (cellular phone)