The president of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees says he’s been notified that 930 government jobs are on the line and cuts are imminent.
Guy Smith says some workers are being told today (Wednesday, Oct. 21) their jobs are gone.
The information came in a disclosure letter to AUPE’s negotiations team bargaining a new collective agreement with the Government of Alberta.
Bargaining dates were set for November 5, 12, and 13.
Smith says many of the cuts are concentrated in rural areas affecting wildfire management, farm-safety programs, the 4H program, and other areas of Agriculture and Forestry including here in Lethbridge, Lethbridge County and Brooks.
Our radio station contacted the agriculture ministry for more information about local job losses, specifically at the Lethbridge Agriculture Centre and received this response:
“Agriculture and Forestry takes program delivery transformation seriously. After careful consideration, difficult decisions were made.
Adjustments will not negatively impact our core businesses and legislative responsibilities for food safety, animal disease, animal health, investment attraction activities, or trade access for commodities. Ensuring that programs are sustainable, now and in the future, will protect our world-leading agriculture and forestry sectors.
Due to confidentiality reasons, we are unable to share the number of positions impacted at these locations.”
