Letter template for you to use - CDSW

This campaign and petition “Essential but forgotten”, is very important to advocate for, as they represent and support a professional workforce in the community disability services industry.

At my job place, I have assisted over 40 of my colleagues to write letters to our government, launching this provincial campaign to advocate for a 25% increase to current wages. I encourage you to do the same, with your co-workers.

Here is another letter that one of my dear colleagues created, and proudly wanted to share with others, so you can have another perspective of how the communication is being relayed to our powers of government.

Minister Jason Luan
Community and Social Services
Calgary, Alberta.

Dear Honorable Jason Luan:

An Appeal for a Wage Increase for Workers in the Disability Sector.

First, let me introduce myself: I am Donatus Enang. I work in the disability sector and have done so for 10+ years. I enjoy the work I do with clients and with team members in a collaborative, multi-ethnic environment. My experience in disability work has enabled me to meet and work with some of the most amazing people as well as clients that I serve.

The major reason for writing this letter is to appeal to the Government of Alberta to increase our wages in the disability sector by a minimum of 25%. Since 2014 there have been no wage increases, especially for those of us working in the field.

This is 8 years since we received any wage increases. Yet, the quality of life has slowly deteriorated due to the economic downturn that has deeply affected people across the country, including those of us in Alberta. Not only are we subjected to the harsh economic realities in Alberta, but as I write, inflation has peaked up pushing gas prices to more than $1.67 per liter. The cost of living index has also gone up. For a little over 2 years now COVID-19 arrived and claimed thousands of lives it can get. Given the slow pace of government decisions in implementing an economic policy, I believe the current cost of living will further worsen.

In some other sectors, workers experiencing situations as we do would normally call for actions such as dialogues, work stoppages, strikes, and demonstrations over our demand for wage increases. But we are not into that sort of thing, just yet. All we ask is that our legitimate call for a wage increase is respected and responded to by appropriate actions by the government of Alberta.

Honorable Minister, Mr. Jason Luan, you have the power and influence to exert on the government to bring about a positive policy change.

Thank you.
Yours truly,
Donatus Enang