Albertans will, once again, be denied the workplace protections that other Canadians take for granted, say AFL

EDMONTON – Statement on behalf of Gil McGowan, president of the Alberta Federation of Labour on the government’s online survey to Employment Standards rules:

“Employment Standards are the rules that underpin the relationship that workers have with their employers: things like overtime, hours of work, and vacation pay are dealt with through this legislation and regulation.

The way the current government has framed this survey shows that they intend to reduce these benefits and loosen workplace rules. The survey is structured to favour employers, not workers.

No worker, for example, would ask as they’re getting fired, “Are there any regulatory burdens related to group termination that could be removed to save time, money and resources?”

An online survey available for two weeks is not consultation. This government is not sincerely trying to get the views of ordinary working Albertans because it’s already made up its mind.

The previous government made changes to Employment Standards designed to bring Alberta up to the standards provided to workers in other provinces. The current government seems intent on taking Alberta’s workplace rules backwards. Albertans will, once again, be denied the workplace protections that other Canadians tale for granted.”

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Gil McGowan, President, Alberta Federation of Labour

Cell: 780-218-9888 or Email: gmcgowan@afl.org