(File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Job Losses

CUPE claims City of P.A. eliminating 20 positions

Jan 19, 2024 | 4:00 PM

The City of Prince Albert has reportedly eliminated 20 positions.

That’s according to CUPE who said each employee was offered a buy-out to incentivize early retirement.

“During recent budget deliberations, the city assured the public that their primary goal was to minimize tax impacts on residents without compromising existing services,” said Cara Stelmaschuk, recording secretary for CUPE 882. “No one saw these layoffs coming, and it flies in the face of what both workers and the public were told during budget deliberations.”

The union didn’t have exact specifics, but these employees were part of both CUPE 882, inside workers, and CUPE 160, outside workers.

CUPE also believes these cuts will impact municipal services.

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“Our members are dedicated public servants, and we believe in the importance of maintaining vital services for the well-being of the community,” said Leslie Mourot Bartley, president of CUPE 160. “Our members are already being stretched thin trying to operate on bare bones. It is clear that these cuts will come at the impact of quality of service.”

According to the City, the reductions are to meet a goal of $1 million in salary savings across the city.

Positions have been impacted in both unions and also in management.

“We are redesigning work to achieve efficiencies, some of which were realized through the strike which prompted a re-examination of how services are delivered,” said Kiley Bear on behalf of the City.

She added that they have been working with CUPE to mitigate the impacts on people as much as possible. Kiley also noted some of the positions being cut were vacant.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

X: @princealbertnow