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It is with great sadness that we inform you that Sister Ruth Shymka passed away on August 22nd, 2016.  Sister Ruth was the President of Local 2550, a member of the Alberta Education Employees Committee, a former CUPE Alberta Area VP Northeast,  member of the CUPE AB Division Literacy Committee and CUPE National Literacy Committee.

Ruth’s funeral was held on Tuesday, August 30th at St. Jean Baptist Church in Morinville. Donations may be made to the Morinville Community Library’s Legacy Program.

We are sure you join us in expressing our deepest sorrow to the members of Sister Ruth’s family and her friends.

Ruth

Ruth is pictured here receiving the 2016 Equal Opportunities Award at the CUPE Alberta Division Convention.
(from left to right, Ruth, Marle Roberts, Garry Lehmann)

Say “No” to paid plasma donation

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PlasmaHealth Canada has opened the door for private clinics to buy blood plasma from donors. Commercializing Canada’s blood supply is not only a dangerous precedent, it’s wrong.

In February of 2016, Health Canada issued an operating license to Expharma/Canadian Plasma Resources to open the first paid plasma donation clinic in Saskatoon. The company has also indicated that it has similar licenses pending in Manitoba, British Columbia, and here in Alberta. Like a bad smell, this bad idea is blowing west.

 

 

So, what can the people of Alberta do?

CUPE Alberta 40th Annual Weeklong School

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RED DEER – The 2016 CUPE Alberta Weeklong school took place at Red Deer College in late May early June.

Five workshops were offered, including two Steward Learning Series classes with sixteen different modules for members to choose from. In addition, members were offered workshops in Bargaining Solidarity, and new courses in Health & Safety and Human Rights.

The opening plenary included training from Tim Kessler on Postural Development and Sedentary Awareness.

Facilitators included National Representatives Aneen Albus, Rodger Oakley, Lisa McPherson, Jennifer Barnett, Stacy Durning, Jennifer Chretien, Gary Day (from Saskatchewan), Troy Winters (from National), and Stephanie Lustig (Temporary Representative) as well as member facilitators Rosanne Paziuk and Jay Millante.

Learning was at the top of the list, but as always at Weeklong School, fun happened.  Members set up a poker table in the dorms which brought in a generous donation of $320.00 for the Red Deer College Student Food Bank. Also, nine people went golfing after class on Wednesday.

 All week the class reps sold 50/50 tickets.  The total raised from this was $1417.00 of which half was presented to the CUPE Alberta Fire Relief Fund.

At our Annual BBQ we were joined by the Alberta Regional Director Yvonne Fast and National Representative Graham Mahy.  Prizes were provided by CUPE Locals 8, 41, 941, 3550 and CUPE Alberta Division.

 See photos here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cupealberta/albums/72157667208945213

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National Aboriginal Day – June 21st

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June 21st is National Aboriginal Day, a day to recognize the contribution, culture and struggles of our Aboriginal peoples. It was first enacted in 1996.

Just last year, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada reported details of the disturbing history of residential schools. For decades, up until the 1980s, Aboriginal children were forcibly removed from their homes and sent away to boarding schools where physical and sexual abuse were common. Children were denied their language, culture and family.

The death rate of residential school students was often double, triple, or even quadruple the death rate among children in the population at large. Parents were often not told details of their child’s death, or even where their children were buried.

It is, without question, one of the most shameful government policies in Canadian history, and one with repercussions on the lives of our Aboriginal peoples for generations to come.  Unemployment, alcoholism, substance abuse, depression and suicide rates among Aboriginal communities are far higher than the Canadian population at large. The roots of many of these tragedies can be traced to residential schools and the impact of our treatment of Aboriginal people.

It will take far more than one day a year to reverse three centuries of damaging mistreatment.

The challenges our Aboriginal brothers and sisters face are complex, deep seated, and difficult to solve.

CUPE Alberta is committed to playing the long game. We will continue to stand in solidarity, to listen and act, and to work in partnership with First Nations to address these issues in a meaningful way.

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NOTICE TO MUNICIPAL WORKERS (CUPE 1505) FROM FORT MCMURRAY

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Dear Members,

On Monday May 23, 2016, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo sent out an intent to return to work form to be filled out by all employees with a mandatory form return date of May 27.

The contents of this form have in no way been endorsed by CUPE nor does CUPE condone the form’s intent.  CUPE Local 1505 has been asking numerous questions about this form, but the Employer is being very selective and evasive in answering these questions.

At this time CUPE is advising all members to refer to the re-entry guidelines put out by the Province and the RMWB specifically page 2  outlining those who should not be returning to the area prior to the hospital being re-opened.  If you suffer from any physical or mental health issues that prevent you from returning to Fort McMurray or are currently undergoing treatment we encourage you to obtain a medical certificate from a physician.

Below is a link to a form, developed by CUPE, that you can fill out if you are unable to return to work immediately for any reason and requesting a meeting with Union representation to discuss options with the Employer.

If you have any further questions or concerns please email president@cupe1505.ca.

Click here for the form

 

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Dear Local Executive and CUPE Members,

 Re: Relief FUND for CUPE Alberta members  

In light of the devastation caused by wild fires in the Fort McMurray area, CUPE Alberta is creating a Relief Fund to assist CUPE members in Alberta who are affected by this 2016 fire.

All monies collected will go directly to CUPE members, the funds will be split amongst CUPE Alberta members who have lost their homes or who will have to be relocated for an extended period of time.

We are asking locals to donate to the Relief Fund to assist our members in rebuilding their lives and homes, and restore hope for the future.

We are hoping to have all donations into the CUPE Alberta Office asap.   This will enable us to distribute the funds to the affected CUPE members.

Please forward your donation to:

CUPE Alberta Treasurer
ATTN: Relief Fund – Fire
300 – 10235 124 Street
Edmonton AB T5N 1P9

In solidarity,
Marle's signature
Marle Roberts
President, CUPE Alberta

 

Important information for drivers

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Renewing Your Provincial Driver’s Licence

fleetAs of April 1, 2016 the Province of Alberta will no longer be mailing out reminders to your home to renew your provincial driver’s licence.

Employees operating employer fleet vehicles or equipment are required to have a valid provincial driver’s licence, as well as an operator’s permit.

 It is the responsibility of employees to ensure that you renew your provincial driver’s licence prior to your birthday expiration date.

Please click the link below to sign up for your free renewal notification via email or text message.

Visit www.e-registry.ca to request a renewal reminder email or text message.

 

April 28 – Day of Mourning

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Every day, workers around the world are injured and killed while trying to earn a living. In Alberta, workplace deaths number in the hundreds per year.

On April 28th we pause to remember those injured and killed while working, and re-commit to improving conditions so further deaths will not occur.

The last year has sadly seen its share of workplace deaths and injuries. However, there is some good news. Alberta has joined other provinces in Canada in protecting agricultural workers under labour and health and safety laws. In the first three months of 2016, WCB Alberta has approved 159 applications for compensation from farmworkers – applications that would have been denied last year.

There is still much more to be done. Workplace deaths are preventable. Please keep working to make our jobs safer.

Click here to find out about April 28 events in your area.

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