Month: October 2016
CUPE disappointed with lack of progress on long term care
EDMONTON – A union representing 2,600 long term care workers in Alberta is disappointed by the lack of progress being made reforming the province’s system of seniors’ care.
CUPE Alberta President Marle Roberts reacted today to the release of “Losing Ground: Alberta’s Residential Care Crisis” by the Parkland Institute.
The report, which updates a 2013 report finds that Alberta continues to rely upon private, for-profit providers of seniors’ care, even though all the research indicates public care produces better outcomes.
“Nothing has changed since 2013,” said Roberts. “The system is still in crisis, and if anything, it’s getting worse.”
Roberts said CUPE has repeatedly asked the previous and current Alberta governments to shift the focus to publicly delivered services.
“This study confirms what others have indicated before it – caregivers in public facilities have more time for patients, and deliver better outcomes,” said Roberts.
“We are disappointed that the number of private beds continues to increase, while the number of public beds has dropped,” said Roberts. “We are letting patients down by not offering them the care they need.”
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Contact: Marle Roberts
780.918.3061
Alberta Library Employees Committee
Currently meeting twice yearly (Spring and Fall) in the City of Red Deer.
All CUPE Library Employees are welcome!
Health and Safety Award
Do you know a member who has made a significant contribution in the area of health and safety in Alberta? If so, we would like to hear from you!
Closing date for nominations: December 31, 2016
CUPE Alberta Scholarship Winner
Alexander Stewart is this year’s CUPE Alberta scholarship winner.
Alexander was presented his prize in October by
CUPE Alberta President Marle Roberts (left) and
Northern Vice President David Graham (right).
Gift to Morinville Library in memory of Ruth Shymka
In August, CUPE lost Sister Ruth Shymka. Ruth was President of CUPE Local 2550 (St. Albert Catholic Schools) and a member of the CUPE Alberta Executive and CUPE Alberta Literacy Committee.
CUPE Alberta provides gifts to long serving executive members when they leave the board. President Marle Roberts spoke with Ruth before her passing and she indicated she wanted the value of that gift donated to the Morinville 
Public Library. As a long time supporter of literacy programs, Ruth was active with her local library.
As per those wishes, CUPE Alberta Vice President David Graham recently presented this gift to Cheryl, the Assistant Manager of the Morinville Public Library in memory of Sister Ruth Shymka.
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