The head of the province’s largest public sector union is calling on the provincial government to take a “firm stance” on the privatization of health care in light of bold new changes being made in Alberta.

Starting this Friday, Albertans will be able to pay to self-refer for some diagnostic tests, including MRIs and ultrasounds.

NAPE President Jerry Earle calls the move “disgusting.”

He says a two-tiered system creates a world where underpaid health care workers will move to the private system to make more money doing the same work.

“I would certainly call on the Premier and the minister of health to affirm their commitment to our public health care system. I believe they need to say that and say it clearly to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador that they’re committed to protecting and answering our health care system,” he told VOCM News.

“Regardless of your level of income or your place in society, you should have equal access and it’s not going to be accessible based on how much money you have in your pocket.”

He cites blood collection as an example, with trained professionals already having left the public service for the private sector.