Kenney has been putting people’s lives at risk – this is how workers fight back
EDMONTON – The Alberta Federation of Labour and all of its affiliated unions, from both the public and private sectors, will join picket lines across the province to show their support for striking front-line health care workers.
“The battle to defend our public health care system and push back against the bullies in the Kenney government has begun,” says Gil McGowan president, Alberta Federation of Labour.
“The Kenney government has put the lives and the health of Albertans at risk by unveiling a plan to lay-off 11,000 health care workers and begin a sweeping process of cuts and privatization during a pandemic. The UCP and their corporate backers have money and the power of the Legislature on their side. Workers are fighting back by withdrawing their labour because someone has to stand up to Kenney and the other ideological bullies in the UCP. What they’re doing to our health care system during a pandemic is not in the public interest, and it’s not what Albertans voted for. We salute and support striking workers for standing up to the bullies in our provincial government. They’re doing it for all of us.”
McGowan and other union leaders will join the picket line outside the Royal Alexandra Hospital later today. Here are the details:
Media Availability
WHAT: Labour leaders will join the picket line at the Royal Alexandra Hospital today to show their solidarity and will be available for media interviews.
WHERE: Royal Alexandra Hospital, 10240 Kingsway Avenue
WHEN: TODAY, October 26, 2020, 1:00 p.m.
WHO:
- Gil McGowan, President, Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL)
- Heather Smith, President, United Nurses of Alberta (UNA)
- Mike Parker, President, Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA)
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Ramona Franson
Director of Communications, AFL
rfranson@afl.org