We stand united and continue to fight for what our members deserve

President of CUPE Alberta, Rory Gill, released the following statement on the results of the provincial election.

“Although we’re not where we hoped to be today, and although we believed we would have been able to find an easier way forward with an NDP government, we know we must stand united and continue to fight for what our members and Albertans deserve.

Our union and our movement worked hard to make a change in this election, and while this result hurts, it clearly shows that we can’t stop imagining and organizing for a better world.

We saw thousands of members come out yesterday across the province demanding that their concerns be taken seriously; demanding that their rights be honoured; demanding better wages and respect in their workplaces.

We know that there is a crisis in education in Alberta and we’re not going to wait for the UCP to continue to destroy it, privatize it and offer our members disrespectful sub-par wages.

We have a clear plan on how to solve the crisis in education and we are ready to come together this summer and make sure that we continue to protect education and protect our members while the UCP continues to implement its anti-worker, anti-union and anti-Alberta agenda.

Our members are united and CUPE Alberta will continue to stand up for the people we serve.

This better world is no further away this morning than it was yesterday because all of us are here and all of us are ready to build it. We will build this power every day, united in the goal of making a world where we all have worth and none of us are left behind.”

CUPE offers solidarity to those affected by wildfires

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) offers our support and solidarity to those affected by the wildfires in Alberta. Over 29,000 Albertans have been forced to evacuate their homes over the last week.

“CUPE is deeply concerned for the families in the evacuated communities,” said Rory Gill, CUPE Alberta President. “We stand in full support of the first responders and emergency personnel who are keeping Albertans safe around the clock through this difficult and traumatic time.”

CUPE represents over 40,000 members in Alberta, including locals in the Town of Edson, Drayton Valley, Grande Prairie, and elsewhere that have been forced to leave their homes. CUPE is urging all of its members in these areas to adhere to evacuation orders.

CUPE members working with Associated Ambulance in Drayton Valley and Breton have been on the ground supporting and relocating patients in hospitals affected by the fires to safer communities.

This is already the worst wildfire season Alberta has experienced since the devastating Fort McMurray fire in 2016. Right now, Alberta needs a leader who has experience in keeping people safe and who is committed to addressing the environmental challenges that make these devastating wildfires possible.

Updates on the situation and information for people affected by the wildfires and evacuation are available at www.alberta.ca/emergency.aspx