ALF V1

EDMONTON - The federal government has squandered an historic opportunity to restore the health of Canada's Medicare system and build new programs to help Canadian families in the 21st century, says the president of the Alberta's largest labour organization.

AFL president Audrey Cormack says the federal Liberals had an opportunity to invest in people and build for the future - but instead they allowed themselves to be swayed by strident conservatives like Preston Manning and Conrad Black who advocate tax cuts at any cost.

"The Liberals told us that this budget would focus on health care and children," says Cormack.

"But instead of a national homecare program that could relieve pressure on our under-funded hospitals, we got a reduction to the high-income surtax. And instead of a national child care program, we got tax cuts for highly profitable high-tech corporations and tax breaks for people cashing in on stock options. These changes may be popular on Bay Street. But they are certainly not the kind of thing average Canadians have been asking for."

Cormack says the federal government did take a number of positive steps in its budget. For example, she says the decision to fully index tax brackets for inflation is "progressive and long overdue." She also applauded the decision to double the period in which workers can collect maternity and paternity benefits.

However, Cormack says the budget failed to deliver what Canadians have been asking most for: namely a long-term financial commitment to things like Medicare and a national day care program. It also failed to shore up Canada's UI system - which currently pays benefits to less than 1 in 3 unemployed Canadian workers (down from 80% a decade ago).

"The government is now predicting a $100 billion surplus over the next three years," says Cormack. "But nearly $60 billion of that is being handed out in tax cuts and only $2.5 billion of the total is going to health care through the Canada Health and Social Transfer. The Liberals want us to believe that they are taking a balanced approach to budgeting - but this is far from balanced. It's an approach that is tilted heavily towards tax cuts and away from investments in core public services."

To make matters worse, Cormack points out that the money earmarked for health care is being given to the provinces with virtually no strings attached. That means that provincial Premiers like Alberta's Ralph Klein can do almost anything they like with the money.

"There is absolutely no guarantee that this new federal money will actually be used to strengthen Medicare," says Cormack. "Given the Alberta government continued commitment to privatization, there is a good chance that at least some of this money will end up in the pockets of health care corporations and not in public hospitals. The federal government should be doing something to make sure that doesn't happen."

Now that the business community has been given what it wants in terms of lower taxes and continued restraint in terms of public spending on programs, Cormack says she and other observers will be watching for the results.

"For years now the business community has been saying that tax cuts will lead to increased investment and job creation," she says. "Now they've gotten what they asked for. So we'll be watching to see if these business people really do create jobs and increase wages for their workers. I'm not holding my breath."

For more information call:

Audrey Cormack, President  @ (780) 428-9367   or  (780) 499-6530

EDMONTON - Based on the plans outlined in yesterday's provincial budget, it's clear that the Klein government is charting a dangerous course for Alberta, says the president of Alberta's largest labour organization.

Audrey Cormack says the budget is built around two highly questionable ideas - namely the idea that flat taxes will promote fairness and the idea that private health care will save money and reduce waiting lists. The problem with this approach, she says, is that flat taxes are inherently unfair and private hospitals represent a serious threat to the future of Medicare.

"Albertans shouldn't be fooled into thinking that a flat tax will actually make the provincial tax system fairer," she says. "An 11 percent flat rate tax like the one being planned by the provincial government will provide a big break for the wealthiest Albertans - that's true. But middle-income earners are going to carry a disproportionate share of the tax burden in this province."

Cormack says that progressive tax brackets - which require people who earn more to pay more in tax as a percentage of their income - have always been the key to fair taxation. By introducing a flat tax, she says Alberta will be abandoning one of the central principles of fair taxation.

Cormack was also highly critical of the government's announcements on health care spending. In particular, she says the budget gives absolutely no details about how much the government plans to spend on private, for-profit hospitals and clinics.

"The Premier is promising to spend an extra one billion dollars on health care over the next three years," she says. "That's great. But how much of that money is actually going to be used for direct patient care in existing public facilities? And how much of it is going to end up in the pockets of for-profit health care entrepreneurs? Albertans want their tax dollars used to provide front-line services - not as a subsidy for private health care entrepreneurs."

In addition to criticizing the government plans for private health care and flat taxation, Cormack also condemned Provincial Treasurer Stockwell Day for using his budget speech as a platform to attack opponents of the government proposed private health care legislation.

"Mr. Day's attack on Medicare supporters was entirely inappropriate," she says. "Albertans have a right to question the government and criticize proposed legislation - that's what democracy is all about. Mr. Day's comments suggest that he is not willing to listen to the legitimate concerns of citizens. This kind of intolerance and arrogance is a sure sign of a government that has been in power too long."

Cormack concluded her remarks by questioning the government's claim that its budget is an example of bold and innovative thinking for the 21st century.

"The government talks about a New Century and a Bold Plan. I can agree that it's a new century. But it's an Old Plan, not a Bold one," she says. "We've heard all this stuff before. More privatization. More regressive tax changes. What's so new about that? What's so bold about it? There is no good news here for Albertans. In fact, by setting the stage for a weaker public health system and by adopting a tax system that is inherently unfair, the government is tearing away at the fabric of our province. In a sense they are creating an Alberta Disadvantage."

For more information call:

Audrey Cormack, President: (780) 499-6530 (cell) or (780) 483-0321 (w) or
(780) 428-9367 (h)

EDMONTON - The fiscal plan that will be outlined in this afternoon's provincial government budget is based on two dangerous myths, says the president of Alberta's largest labour organization.

"Today's budget will be built around two dangerous ideas - namely the idea that flat taxes will promote fairness and the idea that private health care will save money and reduce waiting lists," says Audrey Cormack. "The problem is that flat taxes are inherently unfair and private hospitals represent a serious threat to the future of Medicare. As a result, this budget is a blueprint for disaster."

The provincial budget will be handed down today at 4 p.m. Cormack will be available to talk to reporters in the Legislature rotunda immediately following the provincial Treasurer's budget speech.

For more information call:

Audrey Cormack, President: (780) 499-6530 (cell)

EDMONTON - The Alberta government's plan for the coming year - as outlined in today's Throne Speech - is based on two dangerous myths, says the President of the Alberta Federation of Labour.

The first myth is that privatization in health care will lower costs and reduce waiting lists.  The second myth is that flat taxes will enhance tax fairness and prompt economic growth.

"The government has decided to make private health care and flat taxes the dual centerpieces of their agenda for the year 2000," says AFL President Audrey Cormack, "but both of these policies are deeply flawed.  Bother policies will weaken the social fabric of our province."

Cormack says the government's plan to spend tax dollars on private, for profit hospitals represents a serious threat to the future of medicare.

"The government says its privatization plan will protect medicare," says Cormack "but the truth is privatization will undermine the very foundations of our public health system. Wherever privatization in health care has been tried, it has failed.  All we have to do is look at the experience in places like Britain, Australia and the United States.  Wherever private health care has been allowed to spread costs have gone up and waiting lists have grown longer.  Given this experience, why on earth would we want to go down this road?"

Cormack says the government's plan for a provincial flat tax is also ill conceived.

"Albertans shouldn't be fooled into thinking that a flat tax will actually make the provincial tax system fairer," says Cormack "this plan will provide a big break for the wealthiest Albertans but middle income earners are going to carry a disproportionate share of the burden. The flat tax will also rob the government of hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue - revenue needed to pay for health care, education and other important programs and services."

If the government really wants to defend medicare and promote tax fairness, Cormack says they should shelve their plans for private health care and flat taxes."The answer to our problem in health care is adequate funding for our existing public system. And the answer to our concerns about fair taxation is a tax system that is more progressive, not less," says Cormack.

"By introducing a flat tax the Alberta government is abandoning one of the central principles of fair taxation.  And by promoting privatization in health care they will be weakening Canada's most cherished social program.  These are not  bold plans for the future - they are dangerous ideas that will take us backwards not move us forward."

For further information contact:

Audrey Cormack, President: (780) 499-6530 (cell)

Premier Klein's televised address last night was a continuation of his intentional misleading of the public over his privatization experiment, says Audrey Cormack, President of the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL). It offers nothing to make life better for working people in the province.

"He had nothing to offer working people," notes Cormack. "His attention is saved for corporations and the extremely wealthy." Cormack notes that the government's key economic plank is the flat tax, which will disproportionately benefit the very wealthy.

The only content in the speech, says Cormack, was Klein's continued misinformation about his health privatization plan. "He insists on abusing his access to the airwaves to tell half-truths and cloud his real intentions with Medicare."

"He knows as well as we do that Albertans are saying they don't want taxpayer dollars padding the pockets of for-profit hospitals," states Cormack. "His plan - as he well knows - does exactly that."

"He has promised to put $1 billion into health care over the next three years, but how much of that will go to services, and how much into the profit margins of private clinics?" asks Cormack.

Cormack observes Klein is still not hearing Albertans. "Albertans are saying to the government we don't want his privatization plan. What can be so hard about that?"

Cormack scoffed at the appointment of Don Mazankowski to chair a new Premier's Advisory Council on Health. "Klein has appointed Mulroney's hatchet man to advise on the future of health care."

Cormack points out that Mazankowski started the cutbacks to health care transfer payments in the 1980s as a Minister, including a period as Finance Minister, under the Mulroney and Campbell governments.

"Nothing for working families, tax breaks and privatized health care for the wealthy. Sounds like the same old Tory government to me," concludes Cormack.

For More Information:

Audrey Cormack, President @ 483-3021(wk) 428-9367 (hm) 499-6530 (cell)

The AFL is reminding the Alberta College of Physicians and Surgeons that it has an overarching responsibility to the public when considering proposed guidelines allowing overnight stays in health facilities.

The Council of the College is meeting on Friday to decide whether to implement guidelines for "long stay non-hospital surgical facilities" which would allow procedures requiring overnight stay to be performed in private, for-profit facilities.

"The College's primary duty is to ensure the public interest is protected in matters relating to doctors and health facilities," says Audrey Cormack, President of the AFL. "If they approve the proposed guidelines, it will permit private, for-profit hospitals in Alberta, which are clearly not in the public interest."

Cormack points out that time after time, the Alberta public has loudly proclaimed its opposition to private, for-profit hospitals. "Whether it be Bill 37, or College guidelines, Albertans have been clear - they don't want for-profit hospitals."

"I don't care what you call it, if it does overnight stays, it is a hospital," says Cormack. "Finding some bureaucratic title doesn't change its functions."

"The future of Medicare is an inherently political matter and the College should not be meddling in politics," adds Cormack.

Cormack also takes aim at the Health Minister for trying to blame opponents of Bill 37 for the situation. "If the minister is so concerned about Medicare, why doesn't he just pass a law banning private, for-profit hospitals? That would solve the problem in one stroke."

Cormack states that the Minister is trying to get the College to do his dirty work. "The College shouldn't be bullied by the Health Minister into making a bad decision. Instead they should be listening to the concerns of Albertans," adds Cormack.

The legislation governing the College stipulates that as a body it must protect the public interest when fulfilling its mandate. Allowing private, for-profit hospitals undermines the fabric of Medicare and establishes a path toward two-tier health care. International studies have demonstrated that two-tier health care and private, for-profit hospitals provide less adequate care for the majority of the population.

"Friday's decision is not about boring technical guidelines. It is fundamentally about whether our health system is here to benefit the public interest or just the interest of a private few with connections and capital." Cormack concluded.

For more information call:

Audery Cormack, AFL President: 483-3021 (wk) 499-6530 (cell) 428-9367 (home)

EDMONTON - Nurses in Alberta deserve the heartfelt thanks and congratulations of all Albertans for their strong stand in defense of quality health care - both at the bargaining table and away from it, says a spokesman for the Alberta Federation of Labour.

"All Albertans owe the nurses and their union, the United Nurses of Alberta, a great debt of gratitude," said AFL Secretary Treasurer Les Steel after learning that the nurses had ratified their latest collective agreement with health care boards and the operators of long-term care facilities around the province.

"The latest contract negotiations were just part of the nurses' on-going battle to defend the quality and accessibility of health services in Alberta," said Steel. "At no time were the nurses only thinking of themselves. Right from the beginning, their major goal was to preserve and protect the quality of care in Alberta's health care system.

"That's why they called for the hiring of new staff - so we could ease the critical staff shortages affecting hospitals and other health facilities across the province. And that's why they called for salary increases - so we could attract the nurses we need to make the system work effectively."

Steel says that the nurses have been at the forefront of the campaign to protect Medicare in Alberta ever since the Klein government started it's budget slashing campaign in 1993 - a campaign that resulted in the closure of almost half the hospital beds in Edmonton and Calgary and which threw literally thousands of health care workers out of work.

"I think the Alberta health care system would be in even worse shape than it is if it wasn't for the actions taken by the nurses and other health care workers. These workers have led the fight against under-funding and under-staffing. What little re-investment in health care that there has been is, to a large extent, the result of the work done by UNA and other health care workers and unions."

Steel admits that the latest collective agreement is not everything the nurses wanted. But he said several important steps have been taken in the right direction - especially when it comes to things like scheduling, wages and workload.

"The struggle continues," said Steel. "Over the next few years, there will be more battles - over things like funding, adequate staffing levels and the spread of private, for-profit health care. As usual, the nurses will be at the forefront - along with all the other health care unions in this province."

For more information call:

Les Steel, AFL Secretary Treasurer:  483-3021 (W)   or   499-4135 (Cell)

EDMONTON - The decision to prohibit Alberta nurses from holding a vote on the latest contract offer from their employers proves that Alberta's labour laws are seriously flawed, says the president of the Alberta Federation of Labour.

"There is something seriously wrong with a law that makes criminals out of people who are simply trying to defend their rights in the workplace," says Audrey Cormack, president of Alberta's largest union organization.

"Nurses and other health care workers in this province have been pushed to the brink by budget cuts and under-staffing. Now they face the prospect of being branded as criminals for having the audacity to fight for a better health care system. What's really criminal here is the way the nurses are being treated by the regional health authorities and the provincial government."

Cormack says Alberta's labour laws impose more restrictions on the rights of workers to organize and bargain collectively than any other province.

"In a democracy, workers should not be forced to work against their will by threats of violence, fines or imprisonment," she says. "But that's exactly what's happening in this case and in the case of all other public sector workers who are denied the right to strike. They are being denied a fundamental democratic freedom."

Cormack says the health authorities and the provincial government are using Alberta's labour law to avoid addressing the serious issues that nurses have brought to the table - like concerns over under-staffing, declining morale and inadequate compensation.

"The experience of the 1988 nurses strike proves that you can't find solutions by imposing injunctions and levying fines," says Cormack. "This kind of unnecessarily aggressive approach to bargaining won't stop a strike and it certainly won't do anything to address the crisis in our health care system."

In the short term, Cormack says the solution to the problem lies with the provincial government. She says more money has to be given to the regional health authorities so they can hire more nurses and increase their compensation. In the long term, Cormack says something has to be done with Alberta's labour laws.

"The labour laws in this province are backward and punitive. Far too many workers are being denied the right to strike - which is a fundamental democratic right recognized by the United Nations. Our leaders are going to have to acknowledge that criminalizing strike activity does nothing to solve problems in the workplace."

For more information call:

Audrey Cormack, AFL President @ (780) 499-6530 (cell)

CALGARY - The Alberta Federation of Labour's biennial convention continues in Calgary tomorrow.

Highlights from the convention agenda for Saturday, April 18 include the following:

• A panel of labour leaders will discuss the role that workers and unions can play in protecting Canada's system of public health care. The panel will be made up of: Dianne Wyntjes, Alberta Director of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE); Pauline Worsfold, Vice President of the United Nurses of Alberta (UNA); Kathleen Connor, President of the National Federation of Nurses Unions (NFNU), and Dianne Mair, Provincial Executive Board Member of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE). The panel discussion will start at 10:00 a.m. and continue until 11:15 a.m.

• Barbara Sarria Aparicio, Secretary Treasurer of the Cuban national communications union, will discussion the concerns of workers in Latin America. Ms. Aparicio will address the convention at 2:45 p.m.

The AFL convention is being held at the Calgary Westin Hotel, which is located at 320-4th Ave. S.W. in Calgary.

All speeches and presentations will be made in the hotel's main ballroom unless otherwise stated. Reporters are asked to report to the convention registration office before preceding to the hall. No one will be allowed on the convention floor without the proper credentials.

For more information call:

Gil McGowan, AFL Communications:  (403) 508-5129 (office) or (780) 910-1137 (cell)

Audrey Cormack, AFL President:   (780) 499-6530 (cell)

EDMONTON - Premier Ralph Klein will go down in history as the man who killed Medicare if he goes ahead with recommendations put forward by the so-called blue ribbon panel on Bill 37, says Audrey Cormack, President of the Alberta Federation of Labour.

"The panel is recommending a new kind of private health care system where the taxpayers still foot the bill, but private hospital operators take home a profit," says Cormack.

She is convinced that the panel completely misinterpreted the problems with Bill 37. "The reason that Bill 37 had to be withdrawn in the first place was the absolute rejection by Albertans of the possibility of for-profit hospitals accessing Medicare dollars," says Cormack. "Now the panel comes back recommending the integration of for-profit hospitals into the public system and, at the same time, a much larger role for private clinics."

"The panel recommendations are totally unacceptable to working people in this Province," says Cormack. "I can assure you that Premier Klein will hear, in no uncertain terms, from our members and thousands of other concerned Albertans, that we do not want Medicare undermined by the American-style intrusion of the profit motive into our health care system."

Cormack wants the government to stop playing around with for-profit health care models. "Albertans opposition to the whole idea is obvious," says Cormack, "now its time for the government to obey the wishes of the people by dropping this ill-conceived notion."

"In fact," she concludes, "the only legislation we want to see right now is a clear and unambiguous ban on for-profit hospitals in Alberta, and an end to private, for-profit institutions accessing public health care dollars."

For further information contact:

Audrey Cormack, President @ 483-3021(wk)/428-9367(hm)/499-6530 (cell)