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Edmonton - City services will deteriorate because of an extremely short-sighted budget decision, says the president of CUPE Local 30 representing the outside workers with the City of Edmonton.

Alex Grimaldi, president of Local 30 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, reacted sharply to a council decision last night to cut 5 custodial positions in the Edmonton City budget. Out of a billion and half dollar budget, they could not find $219 thousand to ensure City buildings are properly cleaned and maintained. This just means more headaches down the road, he said.

With a municipal election less than a year away Grimaldi has promised to campaign against council members who voted to cut jobs.

Our campaign against the nine council members begins today, said Grimaldi. I have begun by letting the rest of the labour movement know how each council member voted on this. It is coal for Christmas from the workers for these nine politicians, he said.

The custodial positions being cut mean there will be less staff to clean and maintain city buildings. Council voted nine to four in favour of the job cuts at the budget meeting December 17. Attached is the Council list along with e-mail addresses which is being distributed to Local 30 members and other unions.

The City would not consider putting off vehicle maintenance because of the long-term costs, and for the same reason they should not cut cleaning and maintenance of buildings. Mayor Smith will have a hard time convincing the people of Edmonton and our visitors that this is the best City in the world when they are faced with dirty, smelly public spaces, said Grimaldi.

 -30-

CUPE is Canada’s largest union with over half a million women and men who provide public services. In Alberta, CUPEs 26,000 members work in health care, municipalities, schools, colleges, universities, libraries, emergency medical services, social services and casinos. Visit our CUPE websites for more information www.cupelocal30.ca , www.cupe.ca and www.cupealberta.ab.ca.

For more information:
Alex Grimladi, President, CUPE 30
(780) 426-6050 office
(780) 918-3061 - cellular