Hundreds of public sector workers protest post-secondary layoffs

Shortly after the contentious Bill 22 passed final readingon Thursday, hundreds of public sector workers gathered at the University of Calgary to protest job cuts, pension changes and what supporters called "vicious cuts" to post-secondary education.

"I say to you, be proud, be vigilant, be loud," said Justin Huseby, chair of the Alberta Union of ProvincialEmployees (AUPE) Local 52, using a loudspeakerThursday afternoon. "Your education, your research, your pensions, your bargaining rights, your human rights they are all under siege at the moment."

• University of Calgary to slash 250 jobs after provincial funding cuts
• Budget 2019: Alberta's post-secondary budget reduced, tuition freeze removed

The2019 budget provided$5.1 billion for advanced education operations,a five-per-cent cut over the previous year. Those cuts led to the University of Calgary to slash 250 jobs, 150 of which will be layoffs.

"Our goal over the next four years is to adjust the way we deliver education in this province, to reduce the funding requirement of government," Finance Minister Travis Toewssaid last month.

The university has said there will be two rounds of layoffs, the first at the end of November, and the second early next year.

• Alberta teachers, public employees left in the dark as pension changes loom

Though Thursday's protests specifically focused on job losses, many of those gatheredvoiced their concerns with a broader strategy employed by the provincial government.

Possible strike

AUPE president Guy Smithsaid the gathering should serve as a warning that public employees areprepared to go the distance if things don't change.

"We're here to tell Jason Kenney, 'hey, you lied to us, because you said you weren't going to touch front-line services,'" he said.

"Well, here we have an example where hundreds of front-line positions are being cut. So I don't know what else we can expect from this government. They've been arrogant, aggressive, and they've lied to us.

"I think all Albertans should start getting concerned by that."

Smith called that move a "last resort"but said the union may have no choice.

"We expect more hits to be coming. I can tell you, hearing from members across the province, they're angry, and they want to vent that anger," he said.

• Alberta's public unions prep for a fight, whether in the streets or the courts
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Though the picket signs were put away at the conclusion of Thursday's rally, it is one of manyupcoming in the province for the public sector.

"I promise you, I will not stop fighting, but I cannot do it alone," Huseby said to the crowd. "AUPE can't do it alone, students can't do it alone. Other sectors, including health care can't do it alone. We need to do it together."