AUPE doubles down on Good Samaritan Society with Friday rally

The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees held a rally earlier today in Lethbridge at the Chancery Court Building. Members were protesting cuts and layoffs impacting Good Samaritan Society workers. Darren Graham, the Vice-President of AUPE for the south region explained what is currently happening in negotiations with the Good Samaritan Society.

“We’ve put forward monetary proposals. They haven’t put anything on the table, so we haven’t even been able to bargain. But we’re looking for what other long term care agreements have been receiving, right? Six years without a pay raise with this inflationary times for people that are very close to the poverty line to start with. Like I said, there’s there’s some salaries in the collective agreement that are below minimum wage, and that’s just not right, especially in these times when we’re seeing the increased inflation. Being called the Good Samaritan Society. They’re not being very good Samaritans to their own workers.”

Officials from the Good Samaritan Society declined an interview with Bridge City News, but they did send us a statement.

“We have had no layoffs in Lethbridge and there are no such plans. Alberta Health Services has reduced funding for 77 beds at the Good Samaritan Southgate Care Centre in Edmonton. As a result, we will be reducing staffing in clinical and non-clinical roles to align with the new funding at that site. There are no planned reductions at other GSS sites. We are in active bargaining with the union.”