AUPE President urges review of staffing levels to address shortages, high workloads
EDMONTON – The president of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees is urging Premier Alison Redford to review government staffing levels and address critical shortages in the wake of today’s throne speech.
Following the Redford government’s first Speech from the Throne, AUPE President Guy Smith said the government has an opportunity to improve services to Albertans by committing to reasonable staffing levels on the front lines. The number of government employees has remained nearly unchanged over the past decade, despite dramatic growth in the provincial population.
“Front-line government staff are stretched as the population grows and the number of employees remains the same. Over the past 10 years, Alberta’s population has increased by 720,000 people,” said Smith. “The result is severe understaffing that threatens the quality of key public services Albertans depend on.”
“We’re hopeful that Premier Redford’s plan to introduce zero-based budgeting will give our members the opportunity for input about service levels and efficiency,” Smith said. “They’re on the front lines and can provide invaluable insight.”
In the more immediate future Smith said he hoped to see post-secondary institutions get the much-needed support they need after years of funding freezes.
“The situation in universities, colleges and technical schools is becoming dire. People are stretched and that’s affecting the ability of front line staff to meet the needs of students and ensure they get a quality education,” said Smith.
However, Smith warned that AUPE, Alberta’s largest union with nearly 80,000 members, will be watching closely to ensure that the government doesn’t use the process to privatize and contract out services that would result in higher costs to Albertans and reduced accountability and public control.
President Smith will be available for comment in the Legislature rotunda until 4:30 p.m. today.
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For more information:
Guy Smith, President – 780-265-2294 (cel)
Mark Wells, Senior Communications Advisor – 780-930-3311 or 780-904-0688 (cel)