The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) calls out the University of Calgary (U of C) for going against its own diversity and inclusion commitments..A letter to vice-provost of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), Dr. Malinda Smith calls on her to stand up for better working conditions to align with the university’s EDI goals..“The university had chosen to attack about 200 low-income caretakers, who are mostly women, people of colour, and newcomers to Canada,” said AUPE local chair.Justin Huseby in a news release..The AUPE highlights the university’s website claims: “We are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible employment practices and workplaces.”.U of C’s mission is to “strive to remove barriers” encountered by equity-seeking groups..“Instead of removing barriers, the university has created new ones by choosing to target these vulnerable workers. It has unilaterally introduced shift changes that cuts their wages significantly,” said.Huseby..“Because their pay is low, less than a living wage, and many don’t have full-time hours at the university, a lot of these workers have to have second and third jobs to survive.”.“The shift changes mean many are forced to give up jobs, either at the university or elsewhere.”.The AUPE said it recognizes U of C faces budget restraints after cuts in the post-secondary education section..“In times of austerity, those who suffer the most are the marginalized members of society,” said the AUPE letter to Smith..“However, it is incumbent on the OEDI, and the university as a whole, to protect its most vulnerable populations during austerity.”.“Are these racialized workers, these women, these immigrants to be sacrificed when the going gets tough?” said the letter..Caretakers’ shifts have been reduced from five to two. AUPE says wages are already below the cost of living and workers rely on the extra $2.50 an hour during late shifts..The Western Standard has reached out to the U of C but hasn’t as of yet received a reply..Ewa Sudyk is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.esudyk@westernstandard.news
