Thank you, Mr. Chairman. When these positions were...Let me back up. When we started our Mental Health and Addictions Strategy, alcohol and drug workers tended to be contract employees in communities sometimes working for bands, or friendship centres, or Metis associations without benefits and very low pay. One of the first things that happened was there was a job description done. It was classified and, in the vast majority of cases, the alcohol and drug workers were converted to community wellness workers and those positions became authority employees, which is the same as being government employees. The positions were classified. They are entitled to the same benefits and pay as other employees. Because they are employees of the authority and those positions were classified, whenever collective agreements are negotiated, they get the same benefits and incremental increases as other employees. Thank you.
Michael Miltenberger on Item 16: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
In the Legislative Assembly on February 20th, 2006. See this statement in context.
Item 16: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 16: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
February 20th, 2006
Page 1155
See context to find out what was said next.