There's been a lot of buzz and backlash since the Liberal federal government announced the closure of the Vegreville service centre. Below is a sample of the recent media coverage.
"For a government that campaigned to 'strengthen our communities by investing in the things that make them good places to live' this announcement is yet another failure to meet their election promises at the expense of this community," said Marianne Hladun, PSAC Prairies Regional Executive Vice-President.
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"We were not invited by the employer—the union—to even be here at the town hall meeting that they had with the employees. We came on our own in order to represent our members, but we weren't even invited." - Mike Brecht, CEIU Deputy Trustee for Alberta.
“We urge the federal government to reverse their decision for the sake of the employees and for the community of Vegreville,” said Marianne Hladun, PSAC Prairies Regional Executive Vice-President.
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“This is a constant government problem, and an unwillingness on the employer’s part to consult with the local union,” said Brecht. “If they had concerns, why didn’t they bring them to the table a year ago, and allow the front line workers to assist in finding resolutions.” Mike Brecht, CEIU Deputy Trustee for Alberta.