Quote:
Originally Posted by calf
The impression I got from Prentice's address was that the spending cuts are coming with getting a handle on salaries and benefits leading the way, but a few years from now when the CBAs are up for re-negotiation.
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That's their plan. The government is already starting to brace people for labor unrest like we aren't used to. Alberta has bought or legislated their way out of labour issues in the past, and they can't do either anymore. Will albertans have an appetite for extended strikes? That'll be a major battleground for the next 12-24 months.
I think the unions will spend the election and after swinging at corporate taxes and royalties to try and get the bullseye off their back.
Prentice will use the (not entirely unconvenient) still enormous deficit to keep the public attention with threats of more service cuts job losses and tax hikes.
It'll be interesting to look for signs of whether either side feels like they are solidifying public backing, but the first agreement to come up is going to be bloody to start I think.