CUPE Alberta and the Alberta Indigenous Council are calling on the UCP Government to repeal Bill13 The Regulated Professions Neutrality Act, in the upcoming spring session of the Alberta Legislature.

Bill 13 bans the mandatory cultural competency training for all lawyers implemented by the Alberta Law Society following a recommendation by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

“The passage of Bill 13 is an outright rejection of the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Indigenous Albertans,” said Council co-chair and Senator Glenda Keating.

Action 25 of the Commission states:

Federation of Law Societies of Canada to ensure that lawyers receive appropriate cultural competency training, which includes the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal–Crown relations. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.

Alberta lawyers in an overwhelming majority voted to support Action 25 and maintain a requirement for mandatory Indigenous Cultural Competency training for practicing lawyers,” said the Senator, “but now the Government legislated away the rights of these professionals to satisfy a small minority, some of whom believe the residential school system was a good thing.”

CUPE Alberta President Raj Uppal not only expressed concern for the passage of this legislation, but also with how the member from Cypress Hill – Medicine Hat described mandatory training.

“CUPE is committed to implementing the calls to action within our work and our locals, and Bill 13 and its prohibition on the bodies that regulate our diverse members could have dangerous consequences for not only our members, but the Alberta public that they support,” said Uppal.

“The risk of this only increases when a UCP MLA likens  mandatory training to “authoritarian ideological re-education camps… fuelled by far-leftist Marxist ideology and propaganda, brainwashing for social justice mafias.”

Indigenous Council Senator Glenda agrees, stating that “Every day I work to support Albertans impacted by domestic violence so I know first hand how important it is that all of us in the system have the training to meaningfully support Indigenous Albertans – from the head of Government through every department my clients and peers interact with like Health, Education, Justice and Community and Social services.”

“Bill 13 is a step backwards and risks erasing progress that has been made in the last decade.”

The Spring sitting of the Legislature could start as early as February 10^th.

 

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EDMONTON, AB – The Alberta Division of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE Alberta) has launched an online campaign calling on Premier Danielle Smith to declare a health care state of emergency.

The campaign, located at www.stateofemergency.ca has already collected 9,000 names of Albertans who have sent emails to the Premier calling on the province to declare an emergency.

Last week, the Alberta Medical Association called for the declaration to give health officials more tools to handle overflowing hospitals and emergency rooms.

CUPE Alberta President Raj Uppal, herself a health care worker, pointed to the death of a 44-year-old man at Grey Nuns hospital after waiting eight hours to be seen by medical personnel. There was another case where an elderly patient with influenza waited four days on a stretcher for care.

“There have always been problems in health care, but those problems are worse than ever, and they fall on the laps of the UCP government,” said Uppal. “They have shortchanged funding every year since taking office in 2019, they have blown up the system into multiple confusing organizations, and they have replaced the board of AHS more times than anyone can keep track of.”

Uppal also pointed to the cancellation of new health care projects, like a much needed hospital in southwest Edmonton.

The campaign website is allowing Albertans to post their stories about negative health care experiences. Among those posted include the following:

“Between Christmas and New Year’s, a resident in my friend’s building spent 36 hours in terrible pain waiting for a bed. He had to go out in freezing temperatures to lie down in his vehicle to alleviate the pain, while his wife remained in the emergency waiting room to hold his spot”
Esther, Red Deer

“I have breast cancer, it took me 7 weeks to get the results from my second surgery.”
Alvina, Sylvan Lake

“I live in a small rural community and we are without our emergency department on many occasions due to a Doctor shortage. I have to wait two to three weeks to get into see my local Family Doctor. We need help in rural Alberta. Can you please help us?!”
Wendy, Killam

“I spent 7 hrs in Foothills ER on Jan 14 to be diagnosed with a broken ankle. I witnessed the chaos and overwhelming situations our care givers are dealing with. My care was exceptional given the circumstances. Danielle Smith you MUST DO BETTER.”
Irene, Calgary

My grandpa died because of your government. He had internal bleeding, but they couldn’t get him a room, they couldn’t get him tests to find the bleeding, fast enough because of this crisis YOUR government caused.”
Jenn, Blackfalds

More testimonials at www.stateofemergency.ca

Calgary, AB – CUPE 8125, representing over 4,700 Cabin Crew Members at WestJet and Encore, acknowledges WestJet’s decision to reverse the universally unpopular new 28-inch-pitch seat configuration. This pause follows significant concern from both employees and guests regarding the operational impacts and overall experience resulting from the denser cabin layout.

“Our members have been telling us very clearly that these reconfigured aircraft led to increased tensions onboard, more frequent escalated interactions with guests, and significant physical and emotional strain,” said Alia Hussain, CUPE 8125 WestJet Component President. 

The union reminds the public that Cabin Crew are not responsible for corporate decisions. During the new seat configuration rollout, frontline employees experienced a troubling rise in guest frustration. That frustration, and even aggression, was too often directed at the very people tasked with maintaining safety and care onboard. Flight attendants were often learning about or experiencing the changes at the same time guests were.

“Our members do not design aircraft or determine service models,” said Hussain. “Their role is to deliver safety, service, and professionalism in the face of ever-changing operational demands directed by the company.”

CUPE 8125 has consistently emphasized that frontline experience must inform decision-making, especially when it directly impacts the travel experience. As the union enters the next stage of bargaining, it continues to advocate for decisions that prioritize people, both employees and guests, recognizing that long-term business success is built on that foundation.

“We remain hopeful that this signals a shift toward a more collaborative dialogue going forward,” said Hussain. “When frontline realities are taken seriously, everyone benefits: the operation, the guest, and the workforce.”

“We hope that WestJet will continue in this spirit and end unpaid work for our members. Canadians across the country agree that flight attendants should be paid for all their hours on the job, and we look forward to addressing this issue at the bargaining table.”

CUPE 8125 is calling on WestJet to meaningfully engage with flight attendants and their union in the future, before making decisions that directly affect working conditions, passenger interactions, and onboard safety.

EDMONTON, AB – A union representing Alberta health care workers is slamming today’s announcement from the UCP government in response to the crisis in emergency rooms.

CUPE Alberta President Raj Uppal, herself a former emergency room worker at Grey Nuns Hospital in Edmonton, says that while the plans look good, no action is being taken.

“The number of new beds announced today is exactly what they announced on November 14^th,” said Uppal. “You can put the two press releases side by side and not know which is which. The real question is – will they ever deliver?”

“A thousand beds promised in November, a thousand beds promised again today. Not one of them has been opened. Not one.”

In the meantime, Alberta emergency rooms have been rocked by crises and overcrowding in recent weeks. In December, a 44-year old man died of heart failure after eight hours waiting at Edmonton’s Grey Nuns Hospital. In another case, an elderly man with the flu waited for almost four days on a stretcher in a hallway before receiving care.

Uppal said CUPE Alberta is echoing the call from the Alberta Medical Association for a declaration of a state of emergency.

“A state of emergency gives authorities more tools to deal with the overcrowding crisis,” said Uppal. “That way, they don’t have to wait for the UCP to keep their promises of more beds.”

“Listen to health care workers. There is a health care emergency in Alberta. Admit it, so we can work on it.”

Uppal scoffed at Minister Matt Jones’ promise of a judicial inquiry into the death of the patient at Grey Nuns, pointing out that the government has been ignoring the recommendations of a previous judicial inquiry into the death of a CUPE member working in social services.

“This government talks the talk, but it’s a lie. They never take any action. They just don’t care.”

 

EDMONTON, AB – With the fall session of the Alberta Legislature set to end next week, it’s obvious that the United Conservative government will not be bringing in legislation called for in the judicial inquiry into a Calgary care worker’s death.

In October 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 and did not know Newman’s full history of violence.

Following the death of Onwu, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) requested a fatality inquiry. The inquiry released four recommendations on September 18^th, calling for legislative changes that would make care workers safer.

CUPE Alberta President Raj Uppal says the lack of action by the UCP government is heartbreaking.

“When Deborah was killed, her employer was following all the required laws and regulations, but they weren’t enough,” said Uppal. “That’s why Justice Jivraj made four recommendations that would protect workers – but the UCP seem ready to ignore them and hope the report gathers dust.”

Uppal says CUPE will keep pushing for changes to support care workers.

“We have draft legislation that the government can introduce today. The issue has been studied and re-studied. The UCP needs to act before more care workers lose their lives.”

A referendum is expensive, divisive, and harmful to economy: CUPE

EDMONTON, AB – A union representing over 40,000 Albertans is calling on Premier Danielle Smith to put the Forever Canada petition to a vote in the Legislature, rather than hold a referendum on the subject.

The “Forever Canada” group was successful in collecting enough signatures on a petition calling for Alberta to remain in Canada to force the UCP government to respond to it. Provincial law says the government must either put the question to a province-wide referendum or hold a vote on the matter in the Legislature.

CUPE Alberta President Raj Uppal says she’s worried that Danielle Smith doesn’t want a vote in the Legislature because it will reveal the fact many UCP MLAs support separatism.

“We know from the Quebec experience that referendums can be very unstable to the economy,” said Uppal. “Businesses flee, people decide not to move here. The money dries up.”

“Alberta is already facing economic headwinds due to Trump’s tariffs; we don’t need more pressure.”

Uppal said a referendum would cost around $11 million, and it would only create more division among Albertans.

“We shouldn’t be subjected to an expensive, divisive and harmful referendum just because the alternative is embarrassing to Danielle Smith,” said Uppal.”

Uppal said it’s clear from opinion polling and the success of the petition that Albertans are not supportive of independence.

“Thousands of Albertans worked hard to put this question to rest, and they succeeded –  spectacularly,” said Uppal. “Premier Smith should hold a vote in the Legislature, support our country, and stop engaging with the separatist minority.”

 

EDMONTON, AB – A battle to protect against an Alberta exit from the Canada Pension Plan is heating up with a new website and advertising campaign sponsored by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).

CUPE Alberta President Raj Uppal announced the launch of www.donttouchcpp.ca and a robust advertising campaign. The website allows Alberta residents to easily email Premier Danielle Smith, NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi, and their own MLA, demanding to stay in the CPP.

Uppal says that a move to break up the CPP will lead to smaller pensions, higher costs and increased risk.

“Danielle Smith’s own government surveys show that only one in ten Albertans support her risky gamble,” said Uppal. “But she’s not listening. So even if you’ve already sent similar messages to her before, we need Albertans to send another message.”

“It’s time for her to give up on this extreme, ideological project and give Albertans the security we deserve.”

EDMONTON, AB — The union representing 12,000 education workers in Alberta says a new report calling for additional classroom support is stating the obvious.

“There’s nothing new in this ‘new’ roadmap. We all know we need more staff in classrooms, and the UCP needs to make it happen,” said CUPE Alberta President Raj Uppal.

“The issue of classroom complexity isn’t all that complex. We need more staff, not more reports.”

Uppal said the strike by education support staff last winter and the teachers’ strike last month were caused by UCP budget cuts.

“Alberta has had the lowest education funding levels in Canada for years,” said Uppal. “They keep promising more staff, and then they keep failing to deliver.”

Uppal says the government’s promise of 1,500 new Educational Assistants is about half of what is needed to catch up to 2019 levels.

“We all know we need more staff in classrooms, and we all knew it back in 2023 when more staff were promised.  The UCP needs to make it happen.”

EDMONTON, AB  – The Canadian Union of Public Employees Alberta Division (CUPE Alberta) has launched a website and advertising campaign asking the province’s conservative government to “axe the tax” on COVID vaccines.

CUPE has launched a website at www.axethevaxtax.ca, which allows Albertans to send a letter to Premier Danielle Smith, NDP leader Naheed Nenshi, and their local MLA protesting the $100 fee charged to Albertans getting a COVID vaccination. CUPE is also advertising on social media and other platforms.

CUPE Alberta President Raj Uppal says the vax tax is putting CUPE members who work in schools, hospitals and public areas in danger.

“Charging a $100 vax tax means more people will get sick, and our members, even those who get vaccinated, will be exposed to the virus more frequently,” said Uppal. “In almost every other part of Canada, residents can get the vaccination for free. Why do Albertans have to pay?”

“Albertans shouldn’t have to choose between being healthy and shelling out $100 for every family member. Danielle Smith and the UCP need to axe the vax tax.”

Lethbridge, AB – The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is demanding that the Holy Spirit Catholic School Division immediately rescind layoff notices issued to over two hundred education support staff.

Last week, Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides issued a statement informing school boards that there will be no cuts to funding for support staff during the current Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) strike. He said, “I want to be absolutely clear: I expect school boards to use the funding they’ve been given to keep EAs on the job.” Despite this, the Holy Spirit has chosen to ignore the Minister’s direction and is jeopardizing the future of children and families.

“This is about stability for everyone,” said Joanne Lavkulich, President of CUPE Local 1825. “We can’t risk our support staff being forced to find other work. Students need familiar faces to be there and welcome them back when the strike is over.”

This lay-off notice follows a pattern at Holy Spirit where support staff have seen cuts in hours, work days, and positions over the last several years. These cuts have already pushed dedicated staff out of the profession.

Currently, Holy Spirit is the only school division in Alberta to issue layoff notices to support staff. Other divisions, including Pembina Hills and Northern Lights, have done the right thing by rescinding or reversing plans for layoff notices after the Minister’s commitment to maintain funding.

“CUPE members stand shoulder to shoulder with teachers in calling for better funded, fairer schools,” said Raj Uppal, President of CUPE Alberta. “Laying off support staff in the middle of a strike is reckless and unnecessary. It will create chaos for students and families and further destabilize schools that are already under pressure. Holy Spirit needs to reverse course immediately.”