In addition to being a work of art, inukshuk means “to act in the capacity of a human.”
CUPE Locals in Alberta are invited to submit nominations for the CUPE Alberta Equality award.
The Equality award recognizes CUPE members whose work on equality issues has made a difference.
Deadline for nominations is December 31, 2018.
EDMONTON – Historic reform of public sector pension plans was introduced in the Legislature this week and is expected to be law by early December.
After months of discussion with unions and other stakeholders, Alberta Finance Minister Joe Ceci introduced Bill 27, making the Local Authorities Pension Plan (and two other plans) fully ‘joint trusteeship’ plans.
“Joint Trusteeship means changes to our pension plan have to be negotiated between our employers and us,” explained CUPE Alberta President Marle Roberts. “In the past, when the government wanted to change our plan, usually for the worst, they could do it with the stroke of a pen. No more.”
The Notley government actions are based on best practices for pension plans. Other provinces in Canada have accepted joint trusteeship of their plans because they know that when employees have more control over their plans, everyone benefits.
“We know that CUPE and other unions have a lot of knowledge about how to run pension plans and keep them healthy,” said Roberts. “Jointly trusteed pension plans are almost always better off financially.”
Roberts said Conservative governments have been promising this change since as far back as 1992, but have only delivered broken promises. “Bill 27 is a recognition of best practices adopted by other Provinces and an end to years of broken promises.”
CUPE Alberta is inviting all Local Presidents and in addition; one Local Executive Officer and one Young Worker to attend to our Annual All President’s meeting on February 1, 2019. There will also be a Young Worker’s Forum and Political Action workshops on February 2nd.
That’s right, up to three members per Local may attend, one of which must be a Young Worker. We look forward to seeing you in Calgary on February 1 and 2, 2019!
(Registration fee will be waived for the Young Worker to attend the All President meeting. Event details will be forthcoming.)
Accomplishments of the Notley government.
The NDP works for all Albertans.
CUPE Alberta
Flair Airlines is trying to reduce the wages of Flight Attendants by 30%. Please share this video to tell them not to.
EDMONTON – The announcement yesterday that Alberta public sector pension plans will be jointly managed between workers and government is great news for the health of these plans, CUPE Alberta President Marle Roberts said today.
Premier Rachel Notley announced yesterday that the Alberta government will introduce legislation in the fall to make public pension plans jointly trusteed, meaning they will be governed by a board of employee and employer representatives. Changes to the pension plan will have to be negotiated and agreed to by both sides.
Roberts said the changes mean workers will have a say over how their pensions are managed.
“In 2013, the Conservative government of the day tried to cut pension benefits to thousands of Albertans who had spent lifetimes paying into them,” said Roberts. “With this announcement, it will be much harder for any government to do that again. This is great news.”
Roberts said Alberta is one of the only provinces without jointly trusteed plans.
“Other provinces made this move long ago, and it resulted in healthier pension plans,” said Roberts. “Employees have skin in the game, so it makes sense to let us be a part of how the plans are managed. It’s in our interests for the plans to be healthy.”
Accomplishments of the Notley government.
school.
The NDP works for all Albertans.
CUPE Alberta
Service Alberta Minister Brian Malkinson joined representatives of CUPE municipal locals at our meeting in Red Deer this weekend. Thanks for coming Minister!
Tightened rules around gay straight alliances in schools so kids can join without being outed.The NDP works for all Albertans .
CUPE Alberta
Labour Day is more than just the last long weekend of summer before the kids head back to school. It is an important day of the year to reflect and celebrate the gains and achievements made on behalf of our workers.
In Alberta, CUPE members have diligently stood together to improve conditions for working Albertans. Today we have higher wages and better benefits, as well as vastly safer and healthier work places. It is every worker’s right to a safe and healthy workplace.
This hasn’t always been the case. These have been hard-fought gains made over years of battle.
But when CUPE raises its collective voice to stand up for workers’ rights and a better life for everyone, it resonates in workplaces and communities across Alberta and Canada. We are the country’s largest labour union, and we are committed to our fight for a fairer and more equal world.
Around the world, a wave of right-wing governments threaten to legislate away the rights of workers, privatize public services and fundamentally redefine how governments serve their people. That threat can be found right here in Alberta in Jason Kenney and his United Conservative Party of Alberta. A provincial election will be held by next spring and CUPE Alberta will do everything it can to re-elect the NDP, whose labour-friendly policies improve conditions for Alberta workers and support a more equal and inclusive society.
Thank you to all CUPE activists, leaders, and staff across Alberta, who fight tirelessly to make our jobs and our communities better. You show up and make a difference.
On behalf of CUPE Alberta, we wish you a very safe and happy Labour Day.
In Solidarity,
Marle Roberts
President, CUPE Alberta
Labour Day celebrations are happening across Alberta on Monday, September 3rd. Here is a list of some of those events:
Edmonton:
Lethbridge
Medicine Hat
Red Deer
Calgary
Fort McMurray