Alberta's largest public sector union says an independent arbitrator has awarded some of its members raises instead of wage rollbacks requested by the government.
The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees says government workers will receive a one per cent wage raise for 2019, as will members employed by Alberta Health Services in general support services.
However, the arbitrator ruled that auxiliary nursing care members will not get an increase.
"During the arbitration process, the arbitrator heard evidence from both sides. It rejected the government's often repeated claims that Alberta's public-sector workers are overpaid," union president Guy Smith said Friday in a release.
Toews said the government will have to look at other cost savings to make up for the raises.
"These, unfortunately, include the potential for adjustments to workforce levels, as well as finding efficiencies in program service delivery," he said in a release.
Toews noted that public sector compensation makes up more than half of government expenses and in some cases wages are higher than other large provinces.
The NDP Opposition said the government should not be using the threat of job cuts at a time when it is cutting corporate taxes.
The Canadian Press · Posted: Jan 31, 2020 8:45 PM MT | Last Updated: January 31
