Dale Cena (left), founder of Alberta Disability Awareness In Action, met with then UCP leadership candidate Danielle Smith in early September. (Supplied)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

eight years

Disability workers across Alberta calling for wage increase

Nov 24, 2022 | 12:56 PM

There are hopes a petition with nearly 13,000 signatures will push the government to give Alberta’s nearly 15,000 disability workers their first wage increase in eight years.

The petition’s organizer, Dale Cena, who founded Alberta Disability Awareness In Action, says not only are wages too low for workers, it’s causing disinterest in the field, and therefore a staffing shortage.

This in turn affects patients, points out Cena, also program coordinator, Calgary SCOPE Society.

“We’re non-unionized, meaning we’re funded through the province and its Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) department. It’s seemed that we always have to raise awareness of that within government for some reason, and regardless of party,” says Cena. “Having been in this sector for 15 years, that’s been the norm, even though we should be looked at as essential workers.”

Cena underscores the length of time since the last increase, noting it was Alison Redford who was premier when it happened.

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“Workers are exhausted, they feel undervalued and hopeless, and that’s because they haven’t been considered essential. We should be though because we’re helping people daily who require support 24/7,” says Cena.

“We landed at the 25 per cent ask given that eight years have gone by, plus we took into account inflation and what living wages are. The average wage for a disability worker in Alberta is $18.76 per hour, according to a recent report (read below) from the Alberta Council of Disability Services. Given these individuals work on the frontlines with people who have disabilities, using their own vehicle, paying out-of-pocket for gasoline, we just can’t keep up.”

According to Cena, students are finishing disability studies, completing a practicum, then not entering the field because the dollar figures aren’t attractive.

A recent study by the Alberta Living Wage Network, reported on Nov. 16 by rdnewsNOW, the living wage in Red Deer is $19.65 per hour. Of all communities studied, just one was lower than the $18.76 benchmark.

“Alberta’s government recognizes the vital role that disability workers play in caring for some of our province’s most vulnerable individuals. That is especially made clear in the mandate letter I received from Premier Danielle Smith. Her passion and care for the disability sector is creating strong opportunities for change and I am proud to represent our government throughout this process,” says Jeremy Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services

“I continue to meet with organizations and individuals from the disability sector to hear their concerns and make sure they know their provincial government is listening. It is important that we maintain stable access to support services to ensure vulnerable individuals are receiving the care they need. I recognize the urgency of these issues, which is why I look forward to finding quick solutions to ensure Alberta’s disability sector is supported in the incredible work they do.”

Red Deerian Connie Stroud, a support worker for individuals with developmental delays, admits she’s closer to the end of her career than the beginning. While her career has been rewarding and extremely fulfilling, she says her work is underestimated and the struggle is real.

“Some people I work with are higher-functioning and it’s nice to see them achieve higher goals and living a good life, but some have both physical and mental issues, from trauma, to alcohol abuse, to schizophrenia and cerebral palsy; it’s a whole array,” Stroud emphasizes.

“A very high proportion of people in this field work for more than one agency in order to make ends meet. I don’t, but yesterday I worked a 14-hour shift and was back early the next morning. When that happens, you’re not able to give 100 per cent in supporting somebody. I personally haven’t had a raise in at least 10 years.”

Stroud says the care is 24/7, likening it to a hospital health care aide.

“Sometimes people work 48-hour weekends, then stay overnight at the home, and be on-call,” she says. “Like that aide, we do personal care, and in some homes that means G-tube feedings, taking care of all sorts of medical needs, and workers must be on the ball.”

More about the petition is at change.org.