2010 Labour Day a time to reflect on struggles won, battles looming, says HSAA President

EDMONTON – Labour Day is a time to celebrate the achievements of Alberta’s workforce and to recognize the rights won by unions at home and abroad, says the president of the Health Sciences Association of Alberta.

“More than just a paid day off, Labour Day should serve to remind us that the rights and protections that we enjoy today were not achieved without struggle, and should not be taken for granted,” said Ballermann, whose union represents close to 20,000 health-care professionals employed in 240 disciplines across the province.

“In many parts of the world, trade unionists are still being assassinated for trying to achieve basic rights and freedoms, and we must work through our national and international affiliate organizations to assist in their struggles.”

At home, 2011 will be an important year for HSAA, as the province’s fastest growing health-care union prepares for provincial negotiations on behalf of its membership.

“Currently, HSAA bargaining committees are working to integrate collective agreements for 1,700 new EMS and former AADAC members into a single provincial agreement,” noted Ballermann, referencing HSAA’s newest members.

“With Dr. Stephen Duckett’s (Alberta Health Services’ CEO) previous public musings of a ‘zero per cent wage freeze’, and the various pronouncements from the Alberta Legislature, we also know that this will be a challenging round.

Ballermann cautioned: “Make no mistake, HSAA and its almost 20,000 members will be equal to that challenge.”

Ballermann will join other members of Edmonton’s labour community at the Edmonton and District Labour Council’s 21st Annual Labour Day Barbecue for the Underemployed and Unemployed, scheduled to take place Monday, Sept. 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Giovanni Caboto Park, 95th Street and 108 Avenue.

HSAA’s president will be available for media interviews throughout the Labour Day long weekend.

For more information contact:
Elisabeth Ballermann, President, HSAA - Cell: (780) 991-1274
Scott Pattison, Communications Officer, HSAA – Cell (780) 405-4684

HSAA is a union that represents close to 20,000 professional, technical, support and EMS workers in Alberta’s health-care system.