Over 100 public employees from across Alberta gathered in Okotoks to rally for better wages.
CUPE 5040, which represents Foothills School Division education workers, organized the rally, which began at noon on Saturday, April 13 opposite the Esso gas station on Southridge Drive.
"We did a little rally back in September," said vice-president Bernadette De Bruin. "And we are hoping to create enough awareness for the public to realize, 'Hey, they are handling our most precious possessions, the kids, but they are so underpaid that they need a second job to take care of our kids with all the consequences.'
"So we really want to raise awareness and also say to the government, 'Hey, you know, enough is enough. We haven't had a raise in over a decade.'"
Members of AUPE Locals 45 and 57, which represent support staff of Alberta Health Services in Calgary and central Alberta, and the Alberta Teachers' Association were in attendance.
According to organizers, about 120 people from Okotoks, High River, Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Pincher Creek and other municipalities were there.
"Life is getting super expensive right now," said De Bruin. "And we just can't hold the jobs we love, and we don't think that's fair."
