AUPE to protest outside Redford’s Calgary office on 100th day of Monterey Place lockout
To mark the 100th day of being locked out, workers at Monterey Place seniors’ facility will protest outside Premier Alison Redford’s Calgary-Elbow constituency office on Thursday, Oct. 4.
The demonstration at Redford’s office, 6 – 22 Richard Way SW, will begin at 1 p.m. Later in the day, a rally in support of the workers will be held outside Monterey Place, 4288 Catalina Blvd. NE, beginning at 5 p.m.
“The Redford government must be held accountable for its role in this situation,” said Guy Smith, President of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, which represents the workers. “This employer has been pocketing taxpayer funding intended for nursing staff wages, and the government continues to look the other way.”
The 90 AUPE members were locked out on June 26. Monterey Place’s owner, Triple A Living Communities, is trying to pressure them into accepting a contract that will keep their wages well below the industry standard.
“Nearly all of these workers are women,” said Smith, who will speak at the demonstration. “Many are new Canadians. Triple A is exploiting these women and the government allows it to happen. It’s a disgrace.”
Triple A receives government subsidies to pay nursing staff at the same level as Alberta Health Services staff doing the same job. Yet Monterey Place employees are paid considerably lower wages and benefits while Triple A keeps the difference.
“We’ve seen the same situation at other private, for-profit continuing care facilities in the province,” said Smith. “The government heavily subsidizes these operators. Taxpayers expect the public money these corporations receive to go into improved facilities and frontline services, not into padding their profits. We’re calling on Premier Redford and Health Minister Fred Horne to close the loopholes and demand greater accountability.”
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For more information, contact:
Guy Smith, AUPE President: (780) 265-2294
Andrew Hanon, AUPE communications: (780) 930-5218