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The Alberta Federation of Labour, which represents nearly 200,000 public sector workers across the province, is holding its biannual convention this weekend at the Telus Convention Centre in Calgary.

But already on the first day, hundreds decided to gather on the steps of city hall to send a message to the Tory government about their outrage over asking public sector workers to carry more workload with no increase in pay.

“It’s distressing,” said Elisabeth Ballerman, president of the Health Sciences Association of Alberta, which represents some 24,000 medical professionals including physiotherapists, psychologists, and diagnostic professionals.

“Those of us who provide essential services are being painted as the cause of all the problems. That’s just unfair. If we had a reasonable tax policy that ensured the super wealthy paid their fair share, we wouldn’t be here.”

Prentice promised earlier this week that a re-elected Progressive Conservative government won’t hand out any new raises to public sector workers until the budget is balanced.

Under fire from the Wildrose Party for not cutting enough in last month’s provincial budget, Prentice said the PCs are committed to a smaller and more efficient Alberta government with their plan to essentially hold the line on spending over the next three years and return to surplus by 2017-18.

As part of the austerity push, Prentice said the Tories would impose a three-year wage freeze on management salaries and a new hiring restraint policy, as well as taking a harder line on union contracts.