AUPE seeks bill 1 amendments for First responders left out
EDMONTON – The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees is seeking changes to Bill 1, the Workers’ Compensation Amendment Act, 2012 to include presumptive Worker Compensation Board coverage to more employees who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.
“We’re asking that the Premier make a minor amendment to Bill 1 to recognize that Correctional Peace Officers, Social Workers and emergency medical treatment employees are regularly exposed to psychologically traumatic events in the course of their duties,” said AUPE President Guy Smith.
“I truly believe that the exclusion of these groups from Bill 1 was a simple oversight, as these employees often work shoulder to shoulder with those who are included, and experience the same kind of trauma,” said Smith.
“Often our members who work in prisons, or on the front lines dealing with abuse and neglect in family settings, witness a psychologically traumatic event before a police officer or physician. Yet they are excluded from Bill 1.”
“At our Convention last weekend, Premier Redford told us she truly appreciates that our members serve Albertans in some of their most difficult circumstances,” Smith said.
“I can think of no better way for the Premier to demonstrate her appreciation than to assist our members whose lives have been turned upside-down by a disease they developed as result of doing their jobs, providing services Albertans count on every day.”
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For more information, contact:
Guy Smith, President, AUPE – 780-265-2294 (cell)
Mark Wells, Senior Communications Advisor, AUPE – 780-904-0688 (cell)