Has your employer applied for the Critical Worker Benefit?
Last month, the provincial government extended the deadline for private sector employers to submit applications to August 31.
Funded by the federal and provincial governments, the Critical Worker Benefit provides a one-time payment of $1,200 to eligible workers. To be eligible for the benefit, workers must have earned a gross hourly wage of $25 an hour or less and worked at least 300 hours between October 12, 2020 and January 31, 2021.
Environmental and food services and security personnel are eligible for this benefit. AUPE fought hard with the government last year when they chose to offer a pandemic premium pay of $2/hour only to Health Care Aides (HCAs). While HCAs deserved that and more, so did every one of you.
If your employer has not yet advised you that you will be receiving this payment, ask them if they have applied for the benefit. Then, contact your Membership Services Officer (1-800-232-7284), who will continue to inquire on your behalf.
Your work over the past seventeen months has been vital in keeping the most vulnerable Albertans safe and secure. We want to make sure you receive every possible reward for your efforts.
As the government is processing applications on a first-come, first-served basis, it is important for employers to get their applications in early. Please let us know as soon as you can if your employer has not done so.
You can send us a short message here or call our Members Resource Centre at 1-800-232-7284. Be sure to note which employer you work for.