BARREHAD - Barrhead area businesses should be concerned about Jason Kenney's United Conservative Party's move to privatize hospital support services, as it could result in the town’s population shrinking as local jobs are lost.
That is according to Kevin Barry, Alberta Union of Employees (AUPE) northwest region vice-president, said who was in Barrhead to support more than 20 AUPE members who took part in an Oct. 26 province-wide wildcat strike to protest the government's plan to cut between 9,700 to 11,000 jobs to Alberta Health Services (AHS).
The picketers started lining up on Highway 33 in front of the Barrhead Health Care Centre at about 7 a.m. Monday morning.
The cuts will come mostly in laboratory, linen, cleaning and in-patient food services. The jobs will be outsourced to private companies. Alberta Health Minister Tyler Shandro earlier this month stated the changes are expected to save the health system about $600 million.
AUPE represents more than 60,000 AHS employees including licensed practical nurses, health-care aides, and housekeeping and kitchen staff.
Barry said while those jobs will be available, if the government privatizes healthcare services, there is no guarantee that those jobs will be in the community.
"People and local businesses should be concerned about what the changes Jason Kenney government is planning. These are not the highest paying jobs, but they have good wages and benefits," he said, adding the jobs available through privatization will be at substantially lower wages with fewer benefits.
Barry said the impact of the changes to how healthcare services are provided would have a definite, negative impact on local businesses, especially if those displaced workers are forced to leave the community.
"And this comes during a pandemic when people are already hurting. In some cases, these people are holding their families together," he said.
If the amount of waves and honking horns are any indication, Barry said a large portion of the public share their concerns.
Among the local demonstrators was Pat Lamha. Besides being the communication person for the AUPE local chapters Lamha, works in the Barrhead Healthcare Centre's kitchen.
"Our major concern is the community. What is going to happen when we lose 100 jobs because we are laid off?" she asked. "And we are not the only ones. They keep doing it, to the teachers, to [Alberta Fish and Wildlife], forestry workers. If we all lose our jobs, this town is going to dwindle to nothing."
A nurse at the Barrhead Continuing Care Centre, who identified himself as Mike, is also concerned about what the layoffs and privatization of hospital support services will mean to the community.
"These are people who work very hard and are providing a necessary service," he said. "I am very concerned about the impact it will have to our community if these people lose their jobs. That is why I came out here and decided to show my support."
Government response
In a release, president of Treasury Board and finance minister Travis Toews, stated that the illegal wildcat strikes that are happening across the province are putting people's health at risk.
"The government’s primary concern is ensuring the health and wellbeing of patients, which has been put at risk this morning," he stated. "Alberta Health Services is taking immediate action with the Alberta Labour Relations Board to end this illegal activity. Those involved in this illegal action will be held accountable. My expectation is that all unions respect the bargaining process, stop putting Albertans’ safety at risk and abide by the law.”
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