December 3^rd is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Since 1998, the United Nations has sanctioned this day to promote an understanding of people living with disabilities and to encourage support for their dignity, rights and well-being.

CUPE aims to break down barriers to the disabled. We work with employers to make reasonable accommodations for disabled workers, develop policies that create employment opportunities for the disabled, and educate our members and the public about the value to our communities disabled persons can add.

The Alberta Premier’s Council on the status of persons with disabilities is hosting events across the province. Click here to find out what’s happening in your community.

The union representing an Edmonton City employee killed at work earlier this month has started a trust fund for the worker’s family.

CUPE Local 30 President Mike Scott said the union decided to act to support the member’s family. The Local has contributed $5,000 and is asking other members of the community to contribute.

“Our union is a family, when one of us falls, it hurts us all deeply,” said Scott. “We can never bring our brother back, but if we can help his family with a few bills, it’s the least we can do.”

Saturnino Sonson, a 44-year-old employee was killed earlier this month while working in a municipal sewer tunnel.  Scott said Sonson left behind a wife and two daughters aged 9 and 11.

The trust fund has been set up for the family of the member who died on the job. The account is at River City Credit Union.  Donations can be made by email transfer to local30trustfund@gmail.com, cheque made payable to Local 30 Trust Fund or in person at River City Credit Union using account number 722420166414.

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Contact: Mike Scott
780.952.3046

December 1^st is World AIDS day – one of eight global public health campaigns observed by the World Health Organization. The date also marks the beginning of Aboriginal AIDS awareness week.

Although much has been done to curb the spread of AIDS, an estimated 1.1 million people died in 2015 from AIDS related illnesses, and 36.7 million people still live with HIV.

Scientific advances should be reducing these numbers, however, much of that progress is limited to patients living in prosperous countries with good health care systems.  HIV and AIDS patients among the poorer populations throughout the planet do not fare well.

If you want to support World AIDS Day, wear a red ribbon (or post one on your social media profile).  You can also check this website for activities in your city, or to donate to AIDS research or assistance.

The President of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Alberta Division (CUPE Alberta) is congratulating the Notley government for establishing 1,000 public child care spaces.

“Working people need quality, affordable childcare options,” said Marle Roberts. “At $25 per day for licenced care, the NDP is making this affordable for a wide range of parents.”

Roberts noted that the pilot project mirrors programs in Manitoba and Quebec and urged the government to move as quickly as possible to expand the program.

“What I really like is the fact the government is recognizing the need for child care that caters to rural residents, shift workers and others who can’t access child care on a 9 to 5 basis,” said Roberts.

Roberts said CUPE has pushed for better public child care options in Alberta for decades, and while the program announced this week was just a start, it moved in the right direction.

“We know the economy isn’t great right now and there’s not a lot of money,” said Roberts. “But there are 1,000 more spaces than last week. This is something to build on.”

“Public child care works. It helps educational outcomes and increases the productivity of the economy. CUPE Alberta is happy and proud to support this project.”

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LA/pkcope#491

Scholarship recipient Cedar Albus is presented her scholarship cheque by CUPE Alberta President, Marle Roberts.  This second scholarship was made possible by the support of Personal Insurance.

Congratulations Cedar, we wish you the best in pursuing your post secondary studies.

Read her essay

Since libraries support our communities all year please continue to share this campaign.

Click here to read the Fall issue

EDMONTON – A union representing 2,600 long term care workers in Alberta is disappointed by the lack of progress being made reforming the province’s system of seniors’ care.

CUPE Alberta President Marle Roberts reacted today to the release of “Losing Ground: Alberta’s Residential Care Crisis” by the Parkland Institute.

The report, which updates a 2013 report finds that Alberta continues to rely upon private, for-profit providers of seniors’ care, even though all the research indicates public care produces better outcomes.

“Nothing has changed since 2013,” said Roberts. “The system is still in crisis, and if anything, it’s getting worse.”

Roberts said CUPE has repeatedly asked the previous and current Alberta governments to shift the focus to publicly delivered services.

“This study confirms what others have indicated before it – caregivers in public facilities have more time for patients, and deliver better outcomes,” said Roberts.

“We are disappointed that the number of private beds continues to increase, while the number of public beds has dropped,” said Roberts. “We are letting patients down by not offering them the care they need.”

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Contact: Marle Roberts
780.918.3061

Download the report here.

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