Rachel Notley has had workers’ backs, now workers need to have hers

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The work of reforming this province to serve every-day working Albertans has just begun, Environment Minister Shannon Phillips told CUPE Alberta convention delegates on Thursday.

Phillips warned that the progress Alberta has made over the last four years could easily be undone by a UCP government—which is why it’s crucial we re-elect Premier Rachel Notley to a second term.

“The conservatives are back, and they haven’t learned anything,” said Phillips, the NDP MLA for Lethbridge-West. “Jason Kenney has literally said he will undo every piece of legislation we fought to bring in together.”

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Mark Hancock: “Working people need their union more than ever”

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“We have our work cut out for us, nationwide and right here in Alberta,” CUPE National President Mark Hancock told convention delegates Sunday morning.

Hancock stressed the urgency of re-electing Rachel Notley and the Alberta NDP. “Jason Kenney has been very clear he is planning on gutting the services that Alberta families rely on—the services that are provided by our members,” he said. “But it does not have to end up like that.”

Hancock reminded delegates of all Alberta has achieved under Rachel Notley’s leadership, including building new schools and hiring new teachers and education assistants, introducing affordable child care, putting a price on carbon, and cutting child poverty in half.

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The last thing our economy needs right now is Jason Kenney

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Alberta Federation of Labour President Gil McGowan spent the morning arming convention delegates with information to share with family, friends and neighbours during this election.

McGowan took members through Kenney’s falsehoods, shattering each one as he went. From blaming Alberta’s economic woes on Rachel Notley – when in fact oil prices have dropped in all jurisdictions, not just in Alberta, to declaring the $15 minimum wage a job killer in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, McGowan underscored the importance of re-electing Rachel Notley and the NDP.

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Equality and Justice Committee launches anti-violence campaign in Alberta

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Whether you work in schools, hospitals, social services or any other public service across Alberta, a growing number of CUPE members have something in common: violence in the workplace has affected them or one of their colleagues.

But violence should never be “just part of the job,” in public services or anywhere else. That’s why CUPE Alberta’s Equality and Justice Committee is launching its new anti-violence campaign at the 2019 CUPE Alberta Convention in Lethbridge.

“We hope this campaign brings more attention to the everyday experiences of our members,” says committee co-chair Scott Cush. “They need to be heard and the silence surrounding this issue needs to be broken.”

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Brenda Reid wins Equality Award

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Barbara Reid receives the Equality and Justice AwardBrenda Reid, CUPE Alberta Area VP for Red Deer, is the recipient of this year’s Equality and Justice Award.

She was given the honour at this year’s CUPE Alberta convention, held in Lethbridge.

Reid was cited for her tireless commitment to fairness and equality, for work that includes division liaison for CUPE Alberta Aboriginal Council and AHEC, president of Local 4733, trustee of CUPE Alberta Central District Council, and a representative for Alberta on the CUPE National Health Care Issues Committee.

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Fleury: Investing in Alberta’s future

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National Secretary Treasurer Charles FleuryCUPE National Secretary Treasurer Charles Fleury wants us to invest in our future—starting today.

In his address to CUPE Alberta convention delegates, Fleury said CUPE’s latest budget included seventeen new staff positions across the country to handle growth in membership and workload. To date fourteen permanent jobs have been posted, including one new servicing representative in Calgary.

“Since I was elected in 2011, more than two hundred and sixty-five staff retired,” said Fleury. “Thirty-four percent of our staff now have fewer than five years on the job.”

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Roberts urges delegates to keep up the good fight for working people

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CUPE Alberta President Marle RobertsDelegates welcomed outgoing President Marle Roberts with a standing ovation. Roberts is retiring after serving eight years as CUPE Alberta’s president.

“I’m proud of the progress we’ve made over the last eight years,” said Roberts. “And I’m humbled and grateful for the support and friendship you’ve given me over that time.”

She talked about significant changes for workers in the second half of her term, with the election of an NDP government in Alberta. “Since the Notley government was elected in 2015, we’ve seen improvements for workers, for parents, for patients in hospitals, and for all Albertans,” said Roberts.

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