Thank God Stelmach Didn't Cave to the WA.

[Deathsdoorstep]

Alberta Health's deficit wiped. Use of our rainy day fund during a rainy day. Deficits this and next year, then back into the black.

Pretty good budget, I thought.

[Jtuck09]

Re: Thank God Stelmach Didn't Cave to the WA.

I like how the opposition bashes them for using a fund that was created for situations like we're in currently.

They'd be doing the same thing if they were the parties in power.

It just makes me laugh sometimes.

[Swass]

Re: Thank God Stelmach Didn't Cave to the WA.

Personally - the budget sucked as I've watched 3 coworkers escorted off the premises this morning as their positions were deemed fiscally unnecessary due to budget cutbacks. When your ministry has to cut 410 positions and Information Technology is the focal point, it's not a happy workplace at the moment. Especially when you are expected to maintain the same level of service with less and less people (we've been in reducing mode for 18 months now).

As an Albertan - the budget is good and addresses key areas.

As a public servant who's got 2 young kids to take care of...I hate it and the uncertainy it is bringing...

[Deathsdoorstep]

Re: Thank God Stelmach Didn't Cave to the WA.

Almost every ministry took cuts, except Health and Infrastructure. Yet the cover of the Sun says "Not even a trim". Idiots.

[wildthing]

Re: Thank God Stelmach Didn't Cave to the WA.

Personally - the budget sucked as I've watched 3 coworkers escorted off the premises this morning as their positions were deemed fiscally unnecessary due to budget cutbacks. When your ministry has to cut 410 positions and Information Technology is the focal point, it's not a happy workplace at the moment. Especially when you are expected to maintain the same level of service with less and less people (we've been in reducing mode for 18 months now).

As an Albertan - the budget is good and addresses key areas.

As a public servant who's got 2 young kids to take care of...I hate it and the uncertainy it is bringing...

not sure what you are trying to feed people here, as that isn't how this is working in the departments I have contacts in or the one I work in. People are not being escorted out being told they don't have a job. The reality is most will are being redeployed to other vacant jobs that suit their skillsets.

[Numberz]

Re: Thank God Stelmach Didn't Cave to the WA.

not sure what you are trying to feed people here, as that isn't how this is working in the departments I have contacts in or the one I work in. People are not being escorted out being told they don't have a job. The reality is most will are being redeployed to other vacant jobs that suit their skillsets.

I always took Stu as the kind of guy who would feed us lies for political purposes.

[Swass]

Re: Thank God Stelmach Didn't Cave to the WA.

not sure what you are trying to feed people here, as that isn't how this is working in the departments I have contacts in or the one I work in. People are not being escorted out being told they don't have a job. The reality is most will are being redeployed to other vacant jobs that suit their skillsets.

The two ministries experiencing the most layoffs are SRD and Service Alberta (specifically in the IT department who provide IT services to all of government). If you're not in them, then count your blessings. So far, I know of 9 people who've been escorted offsite and there are plenty more coming.

I always took Stu as the kind of guy who would feed us lies for political purposes.

Yeah - that's how I roll!

[Muley69]

Re: Thank God Stelmach Didn't Cave to the WA.

The problem with "hiring freezes" is that it sounds good politically but is absolute crap. Spending on public sector wages, as a percentage of government expenditure, is something like 5%.

Cutting position saves NOTHING (really) from the bottom line, and only creates a TON more stress / pressure on remaining staff. Moral goes down and output is reduced...but the work does not similarly reduce. Albertans, who are hte ones using government services, get even MORE pissed off with Government because everything is delayed further and further...and you create a viscious cycle.

[Spectacle]

Re: Thank God Stelmach Didn't Cave to the WA.

Personally - the budget sucked as I've watched 3 coworkers escorted off the premises this morning as their positions were deemed fiscally unnecessary due to budget cutbacks. When your ministry has to cut 410 positions and Information Technology is the focal point, it's not a happy workplace at the moment. Especially when you are expected to maintain the same level of service with less and less people (we've been in reducing mode for 18 months now).

As an Albertan - the budget is good and addresses key areas.

As a public servant who's got 2 young kids to take care of...I hate it and the uncertainy it is bringing...

Sorry to hear about your co-workers and I really, really hope your job is safe.

Unfortunately though, what you described is happening in all work areas- not just public sector. Mr.Spec got "laid off" in August due to his plant being put on 'idle'. Basically- everyone but a few got laid off so the American company he he works for can use the Canadian economy to keep American employees working while leaving Canadian workers out of work and actually putting out a crappier product. Since it is an American company and they have certain loopholes, it also leaves those laid off employees without any type of severance pay or compensation.

I also got laid off before even being finished maternity leave.


So while I definitely feel bad for your coworkers, I'm probably less riled about public sector jobs being lost because it has been happening everywhere else as well.


(I really hope this isn't coming off in a jerk way, it is not at all intended to be that)

[Rayminator]

Re: Thank God Stelmach Didn't Cave to the WA.

Personally - the budget sucked as I've watched 3 coworkers escorted off the premises this morning as their positions were deemed fiscally unnecessary due to budget cutbacks. When your ministry has to cut 410 positions and Information Technology is the focal point, it's not a happy workplace at the moment. Especially when you are expected to maintain the same level of service with less and less people (we've been in reducing mode for 18 months now).

As an Albertan - the budget is good and addresses key areas.

As a public servant who's got 2 young kids to take care of...I hate it and the uncertainy it is bringing...

Well, that's 1 potential employer I can cross off my list I guess....

[MoneyGuy]

Re: Thank God Stelmach Didn't Cave to the WA.

Stuart, if you ever need to sell off stuff, I'll pay $500 for the jersey AND the autographed football. Together, not each.

[esklover]

Re: Thank God Stelmach Didn't Cave to the WA.

As a public servant who's got 2 young kids and a wife to take care of...I hate it and the uncertainy it is bringing...

There...I fixed that for you!

[Swass]

Re: Thank God Stelmach Didn't Cave to the WA.

Sorry to hear about your co-workers and I really, really hope your job is safe.

Unfortunately though, what you described is happening in all work areas- not just public sector. Mr.Spec got "laid off" in August due to his plant being put on 'idle'. Basically- everyone but a few got laid off so the American company he he works for can use the Canadian economy to keep American employees working while leaving Canadian workers out of work and actually putting out a crappier product. Since it is an American company and they have certain loopholes, it also leaves those laid off employees without any type of severance pay or compensation.

I also got laid off before even being finished maternity leave.


So while I definitely feel bad for your coworkers, I'm probably less riled about public sector jobs being lost because it has been happening everywhere else as well.


(I really hope this isn't coming off in a jerk way, it is not at all intended to be that)

No worries, this wasn't offensive at all. I do realize that layoffs are happening all over so I'm not expecting a ton of sympathy for public servants.

In the 13 years that I've been with the government, this is the first time that I've seen people being escorted off the premises without being able to say goodbye or get their things. This one lady had her cubicle covered with knick-knacks and personal belongings and she couldn't even take them down. Apparently an HR rep will be doing that and making arrangements for her to pick them up. IMO - not a nice way to handle someone who's worked for the government for over 25 years...

[Swass]

Re: Thank God Stelmach Didn't Cave to the WA.

Stuart, if you ever need to sell off stuff, I'll pay $500 for the jersey AND the autographed football. Together, not each.

Ha - do you want the locker too cause that'll cost ya!

[MoneyGuy]

Re: Thank God Stelmach Didn't Cave to the WA.

As a public servant who's got 2 young kids and a beautiful wife to take care of...I hate it and the uncertainy it is bringing...

Kim, you missed something.