May 21, 2020
EDMONTON – Members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) are calling for action from Health Minister Tyler Shandro to make good on his April 20 promise of a $2 raise for health care aides.
“This $2 raise for only one classification of worker was made without consultation. While Albertans working in other jobs deserve a top up too, at least give it to the people you said you would,” says AUPE Vice-President Susan Slade.
Multiple private continuing care providers still have not provided the $2/hour raise for health care aides over a month after the announcement.
“For Minister Shandro to make this announcement and then one month later have no follow through to ensure some of our health care workforce are actually receiving the promised raise is disappointing to say the least,” says Slade. “It appears we cannot expect the government to hold these providers accountable.”
On May 15, Health Ministry Press Secretary Steve Buick said that, “Operators received $12.4 million last week” to “cover the wage top-up retroactive to April 20”, and that aides will see the wage increase in their next pay period.
AUPE has learned multiple facilities, including Extendicare, Good Samaritan Society, and Chantelle Management workplaces, have not provided the $2/hour raise to health care aide staff to date.
“Minister Shandro needs to step in and force these providers to give the raises they’ve been funded for,” says Slade. “The Ministry should also come to the table with unions like AUPE to discuss how we can recognize the rest of the health care workforce such as Licensed Practical Nurses, housekeepers, food service workers and more.”
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AUPE Vice-President Susan Slade is available for comment.
For more information contact Trevor Zimmerman, Communications, 780-930-3413