Hundreds of Albertans shared their concerns regarding the potential loss of thousands of public sector jobs during a town hall meeting in Edmonton Monday evening.

The town hall was organized by the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) in response to planned cuts to the public sector announced last week by the Alberta government.  

"I'm not a very happy Albertan," said retired teacher Debbie Trinier, who joined the crowd of over 300 at MacEwan University. 

"I think [Premier Jason] Kenney is a bit of a loose cannon, a bit out of control, and I just think that this isn't what the Alberta people voted for."

Educator Donna Staszinski said she was glad to see a large turnout and high-energy crowd.

"I think it's important that people speak out and make themselves heard because there's no reason for these cuts," she said. "It's not a problem with spending, it's a problem with how we allocate resources."

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Public sector unions were notified last week that up to 6,000 jobs could be eliminated as the provincial government tries to cut costs.

General strike possible

Six union leaders on a panel took questions from the crowd and shared their views on whether a general strike was a possibility.  

Protesters outside the UCP AGM on Saturday chanted about a general strike, which Kenney said would not "be well-received by Albertans who pay the bills."

Members of the Health Sciences Association of Alberta aren't ready to strike, said president Mike Parker.

"We all go together if this is going to happen," Parker said. "It'll come from you, the worker."

A general strike is only effective if the majority of Albertans support it, said Heather Smith, president of the United Nurses of Alberta.

"It has to be everyone," Smith said. "That is the only shield we will have as workers."

While Albertans may not be ready to strike at the moment, the government should listen to their concerns, said AFL president Gil McGowan.