HSAA members urged to rally Dec. 4 at legislature

'We demand that our public health care system be protected and not secretly dismantled by the Stelmach government.'

Edmonton (3 Dec. 2010) - The Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA/NUPGE) is urging members to turn out Saturday at 1 p.m. for a rally at the Alberta legislature in defence of health care.

"Albertans from across the province will (be sending) Premier Ed Stelmach a strong message - 'As Canadians, we won't stand for the destruction of our public health care system!'" says the union.

"The Stelmach government has plunged our public health care system into chaos, the result of years of limited vision and planning. It's dismal performance is evidenced with the hiring and subsequent firing of Alberta Health Services (AHS) CEO Dr. Stephen Duckett, the expulsion of Tory MLA Raj Sherman from caucus and this week's leaked provincial government document that clearly shows what HSAA and other public health care advocates have been stating for years - the Stelmach government is planning on forcing Albertans to pay for American-style private health insurance in the near future."

HSAA says Albertans forced the former Ralph Klein government to put the breaks on its so-called Third Way Plan through massive public protest.

"HSAA members are now being urged to join Albertans from across the province this Saturday, to send the Stelmach government a similar message," the union says.

"As Canadians, we demand that our public health care system be protected and not secretly dismantled by the Stelmach government. Please wear your HSAA colours with pride. We look forward to seeing - and hearing you - on Dec. 4!"

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE