Public sector workers rallied in front of Medicine Hat Regional Hospital on Wednesday, calling for wages to match cost-of-living increases. Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News

By Eli J. Ridder

Public sector workers rally in Medicine Hat for better benefits, wages

Jul 10, 2024 | 4:56 PM

Dozens of public sector workers chanted and marched in front of Medicine Hat Regional Hospital on Wednesday to call for better benefits, improved work-life balance and wages that match cost-of-living increases as their union enters into a slew of contract deliberations this year.

The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees is holding a tour of “time for action” rallies across the province in an effort to reactivate its members in a way it has not since before the pandemic, south region vice president Curtis Jackson said.

“It’s time for us to get out and hit the streets again and really show our power,” Jackson told CHAT News as the rally got underway.

Some 82,000 members of AUPE — about 82 per cent of the membership — are bargaining this year with their employers.

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“It’s a massive round of bargaining and we want our members to be ready and to be active and to put their boots on the ground to leverage their power into getting the best possible collective agreement they can,” Jackson added.

Curtis Jackson, south region vice president of AUPE, helped to lead the rally on Wednesday. Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News

AUPE members can be found throughout the city at places such as the hospital, the Medicine Hat Remand Centre, the Court of King’s Bench and the Alberta government building.

For local 5815 chapter chair Randy Assmus, community support for public sector workers as they rally for better work contracts is important.

“I really like that they’re seeing us and what we’re trying to do,” Assmus said.

AUPE members have criticized the government’s health care system restructuring plan taking place over the course of this year.

Jackson echoed the concerns, saying the United Conservative government’s plans for Recovery Alberta is the wrong direction.

“For over 30 years, mental health professionals in this province have really advocated that we treat mental health like we treat physical health,” Jackson said.

“Now, re-siloing mental health off away from primary and acute care is just another way of saying that we don’t really care about mental health.”

Jackson doesn’t look to the opposition New Democrats for solutions, however, saying instead that unionized workers need to “flex their collective muscle.”

Public sector workers rallied on Wednesday. Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News

“Our biggest allies are our fellow unionized workers in this province, as well as the communities that we belong to,” he said.

“Every community benefits from increased wages to public sector workers because public sector workers are more likely to eat in local restaurants, to spend their money locally and to keep their money invested in local business.”

Jackson added members of the public that want to show their support can come down and participate in the rallies.

AUPE has upcoming rallies planned for Pincher Creek and Lethbridge in the coming weeks, according to a schedule.