Warning message

Please note that this page is from our archives. There may be more up-to-date content about this topic on our website. Use our search engine to find out.

Joint statement from the leaders of the Alberta Federation of Labour, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (Alberta Division), the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, United Nurses of Alberta, the Health Sciences Association of Alberta, and the Alberta Colleges and Institutes Faculties Association regarding proposed cuts to pension benefits.

Today, we are concerned and disappointed by the sweeping changes to public service pension plans proposed this morning by Finance Minister Doug Horner.

If the changes introduced today are implemented, as Horner indicated he is determined to do, the bottom line is that Alberta public employees will have diminished pensions.

Members of Alberta’s public service pension plans would have to work longer to retire, and when they retire their benefits will be reduced.

In addition, their retirement incomes will more rapidly fall behind inflation.

The minister himself has conceded, and pension plan actuaries have confirmed, that the pension plans are currently sustainable. There is no need for major cuts to benefits.

Public service union leaders were encouraged that the minister was willing to discuss shared governance of the plan, but believe that any pension benefit changes should be left to the employee and employer representatives to negotiate after shared governance is put in place.

Despite our unhappiness, we are committed to continued discussions with the government and employers.