Alberta’s finance minister aims to cut nurses’ salaries to help balance the province’s finances.

The United Nurses of Alberta released a statement on Tuesday that employers are proposing a 3% pay cut as part of ongoing collective bargaining, in addition to previous rollback demands like ending semi-annual lump-sum payments as well as cuts in payouts. shifts and weekends. bonuses.

Finance Minister Travis Toews said in a statement Tuesday night that Alberta needs to get its finances back on track while praising the role of the province’s nurses throughout the pandemic.

“The need to align wages with those of other major provinces does not diminish our deep respect for the exceptional work and dedication of public sector workers,” the statement said.

“It is simply a reflection of our fiscal reality, and that which many sectors of the province have experienced.”

Toews said the past 16 months have put considerable additional pressure on the province’s already high levels of debt and deficit. He said the government hopes Alberta Health Services and UNA will negotiate in good faith to ensure healthcare workers are treated fairly “while respecting the fiscal reality of the province.”

Her statement indicates that nurses in Alberta earn about 5.6 percent more on average than comparable provinces.

The UNA and the provincial negotiators are due to meet again on Thursday.