CUPE calls on Alberta to accept recommendations following death of care worker

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CALGARY – The union representing a Calgary care worker fatally stabbed by a client with a history of violence is calling on the province to accept and implement the recommendations of the inquiry report released today.

In October of 2019, Deborah Onwu, an employee of Woods Homes Society, was stabbed 19 times while working alone with Brandon Newman – then a resident of the society. Newman had complex needs, a history of violence, and assorted cognitive and mental health issues. Onwu, who was an experienced and highly trained counsellor, was working alone at the time.

Following the death of Onwu, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) requested a fatality inquiry. The inquiry has completed its work, and Justice Jivraj’s report was released today.

CUPE Alberta President Raj Uppal says the four recommendations coming from the report all point to legislative changes at the provincial level that could prevent similar deaths from occurring in the future.

“Deborah Onwu didn’t need to die that night,” said Uppal. “If she had the full history of the client’s behaviour, if she had a co-worker, if there were other precautions taken, she might still be here.”

“We owe it to her and other workers in the social work field to do everything we can to prevent this tragedy from happening again.”

Troy Winters, a Health and Safety expert with CUPE, and a witness to the inquiry, said the recommended changes are long overdue in Alberta.

“The inspector said it himself, the employer was found to be in compliance with Alberta legislation.  So what does that say about the legislation?  The suggested changes include legislation that makes agencies proactively share the full history of clients, and that front-line workers know what to expect and have a full picture of the clients they are working with,” said Winters.

“If you want to protect workers, you have to inform workers.”

A full copy of the Fatality Inquiry report can be found here: ONWU Inquiry Report

CUPE 8125 serves Notice to Bargain: WestJet Flight Attendants demand fair pay and an end to unpaid work

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Calgary, AB — CUPE 8125, representing WestJet flight attendants, has officially served notice to bargain a new collective agreement. 

“WestJet flight attendants are professionals who deserve to be paid for every minute they’re on the job, from pre-boarding safety checks to post-flight duties,” said Alia Hussain, President of CUPE 8125. “Unpaid work is unacceptable, and it’s time for that to end.”

Flight attendants across Canada are standing up for better treatment. This summer, Air Canada flight attendants walked off the job over similar issues, and Canadians overwhelmingly backed their fight.

“We are committed to negotiating in good faith and securing a deal that respects the critical role flight attendants play in keeping the skies safe,” said Hussain.

“Our message to WestJet is plain and simple. Pay us fairly. Pay us for all our time.”

WestJet Flight Attendants Ensure Passenger Safety During Suspected Landing Gear Failure in St. Maarten

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Calgary, AB – CUPE 8125, representing WestJet flight attendants, is commending the professionalism and swift action of crew members following a suspected landing gear failure on WestJet flight 2276 at Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) yesterday.

At 17:29 UTC, the aircraft experienced what is being described as a landing gear failure and emergency protocols were immediately undertaken. Cabin crew oversaw the rapid deployment of slides and safely evacuated every passenger. Emergency services responded quickly, and all guests and crew were transported to the terminal with no reported injuries.

“Yesterday’s events are a powerful reminder of the essential role flight attendants play in keeping passengers safe,” said Alia Hussain, President of CUPE 8125. “When seconds matter, our members are trained to take charge, lead evacuations, and ensure that every passenger is cared for. Safety is not an add-on to our jobs. It is the very core of what we do.”

Hussain emphasized that flight attendants often perform their most critical safety duties outside of paid time. “This includes pre-flight safety checks, boarding procedures, and, when the unexpected happens, life-saving actions like those taken yesterday. This must change. Our critical work deserves recognition and fair compensation.”

CUPE 8125 extends gratitude to the crew of Flight 2276 and to emergency personnel for their skill, professionalism, and commitment to protecting lives, and reaffirms its demand that safety work should never be unpaid or undervalued.

CUPE, Air Canada reach a tentative agreement

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Aug 19, 2025 7:47 AM Eastern Daylight Time

 

CUPE, Air Canada reach a tentative agreement

 

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE (https://www.businesswire.com/))–Flight attendants at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge have reached a tentative agreement, achieving transformational change for our industry after a historic fight to affirm our Charter rights.

 

Unpaid work is over.

 

We have reclaimed our voice and our power.

 

When our rights were taken away, we stood strong, we fought back — and we secured a tentative agreement that our members can vote on.

 

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UCP needs to listen to Albertans and leave the Canada Pension Plan alone

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EDMONTON – A survey of 93,000 Albertans conducted by the provincial government has a very clear message: don’t touch the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). The results were released by the government after a lengthy request for information by the Edmonton Journal.

CUPE Alberta President Raj Uppal says she was not surprised the survey showed 63% opposition to leaving the CPP, and only 10% support for an Alberta plan.

“There is no case for leaving the CPP,” said Uppal. “An Alberta plan would cost more, and deliver weaker investment returns and smaller pensions.”

Uppal called on the UCP government to abandon all plans to take Alberta out of the Canada Pension Plan.

“I know Danielle Smith likes to flirt with separatists, but the Canada Pension Plan is one of the strongest reasons for Alberta to remain in Canada. The Premier needs to abandon this idea and stop threatening the retirement security of Albertans.”

CUPE Alberta calls on Minister Nicolaides to prevent education crisis after federal funding cuts

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EDMONTON, ALBERTA – CUPE Alberta is sounding the alarm over a looming crisis in the province’s K–12 education system as hundreds of educational assistants (EAs) across the province face job losses following the withdrawal of most of the federal Jordan’s Principle funding for non-reserve schools.

Jordan’s Principle is a federal policy intended to ensure First Nations children receive the services they need without delay, including in education, health care, and social services. In Alberta, this funding has helped support educational assistants in public schools, benefiting both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.

In a powerful open letter sent to Minister of Education and Childcare Demetrios Nicolaides, Wendy Harman, President of CUPE 5543, warned that the cuts would be “catastrophic” for students with complex learning needs, behavioural challenges, and those on Individualized Education Plans.

“This will devastate our Alberta schools,” wrote Harman. “Now, we are actively choosing to let more children fall through the cracks, and those cracks are growing into chasms.”

Harman cited alarming figures from Parkland School Division, where some schools will see their EA staffing slashed by more than half, dropping from 11 assistants to just 5 for student populations of over 600. “Our EAs are not ‘extras,’” she continued. “They are qualified professionals who de-escalate crisis situations, manage diverse learning needs, and play a critical role in allowing classroom teachers to teach.”

CUPE Alberta President Raj Uppal echoed the concerns and called on the provincial government to immediately step in with targeted funding to protect front-line education supports.

“Educational assistants are the backbone of inclusive classrooms,” said Uppal. “When we cut EAs, we fail students who need support the most. The Minister must act now, because these cuts affect every student in Alberta who relies on additional help to succeed.”

CUPE Alberta is urging the province to demonstrate real leadership by reversing the EA cuts, restoring jobs, and investing in a public education system that supports all children.

Education support workers in Medicine Hat ratify new collective agreement

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MEDICINE HAT, Alberta — CUPE 829, representing approximately 350 education support workers in the Medicine Hat Public School Division, ratified a new four-year collective agreement on May 13 that will be in place until August 31, 2028. The previous agreement expired in 2024. Almost 90% of voting members supported the new contract.

This new deal comes after a forced vote on the employer’s “final offer” was rejected by members. This important step allowed CUPE 829 to return to the bargaining table and secure a stronger deal, one that better reflects the needs and contributions of education support workers. Both CUPE 829 and the employer have withdrawn their unfair labour practices complaints.

This new, ratified agreement secures the province-wide CUPE pattern achieved through the hard-fought efforts of striking education workers across Alberta.

CUPE National Representative Kim Wentzell said, “CUPE 829 is pleased to have reached this agreement that provides long-term stability for our members, for the school division, and for the kids.

Our members are proud of the work we do every day to support students and schools. This agreement recognizes that work and ensures we can continue supporting the community effectively.

CUPE 829 looks forward to continuing to build a strong and respectful working relationship with the Medicine Hat Public School Division as both parties move forward together under this new agreement.”

 

Statement from Mandy Lamoureux regarding the schoolbook ban

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“Teens need adults to actually be adults about sex”

EDMONTON – CUPE 3550 represents 3,500 employees (including library workers) at the Edmonton Public School Board.  President Mandy Lamoureaux issued the following statement regarding Alberta Education Minister Dimitrios Nicolaides’s policy on ‘age appropriate books’ in school libraries.

“The problems in Alberta education today stem from underfunded schools. Today’s announcement is a transparent attempt to distract from funding issues with dubious culture wars.

The government should talk to parents, who will tell them book censorship does nothing to solve the real issues students face.

The education minister is nearly silent about the fact that schools are laying off staff as Jordan’s Principle funding dries up. The Minister also avoids discussing overcrowding in classrooms, funding levels that don’t match inflation, support for special needs kids, and staff wages that don’t keep up with the cost of living.

Instead, Minister Nicolaides bans books with gay and queer themes.

Experts agree that in an age when teens can access pornography at almost anytime, young people need literature with healthy depictions of sexuality. Sex is something kids know about, and need to learn about in thoughtful and respectful ways.

The UCP plan to divert attention from the failures of their own education system will only hurt teens who need adults to actually be adults about sex.”