Rocky Mountain House is one of several communities across the province expected to be affected by bargaining delays between the Good Samaritan Society and its unionized staff.

“Nearly 1,600 members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) have been waiting almost five years to negotiate a collective agreement with the Good Samaritan Society, but the employer keeps stalling,” says Guy Smith, president of the union, which represents 95,000 workers. “It seems a mixture of incompetence and malice on behalf of the employer, but it’s the front-line workers and the residents who suffer.”

AUPE members and supporters are holding an information picket and rally at the Good Samaritan Society’s Linden View facility Tuesday, June 7. Smith and AUPE vice-presidents Susan Slade and Darren Graham will attend.

“These members have seen no wage increases for five years, which is especially painful with today’s soaring inflation rates. Their concerns over workplace conditions and the level of care provided to residents have been ignored,” says Smith.

“To continue to stall on bargaining now, after more than two years of these workers putting their health and lives on the line during the pandemic, is insulting. It’s a shameful way to behave for an organization that claims to be faith-based.”

The AUPE says there a total of 17 Good Samaritan sites affected by the delay in bargaining. Unless there is progress, say AUPE officials, more information pickets and rallies are expected.

Affected communities include:
• Cardston;
• Edmonton;
• Evansburg;
• Lethbridge;
• Magrath;
• Raymond;
• Rocky Mountain House;
• Spruce Grove;
• Stony Plain;
• Taber; and
• Wetaskiwin.