News

April 2013: Join us at the AFL’s 9th Biennial Convention, Unions Stand up for Majority of Albertans, STRIKE! The Musical, Solidarity with Post-Secondary Education

Unions Stand Up for Majority of Albertans

In the lead up to Alberta’s 2013 budget, Alberta’s public sector unions worked together to advance the interests of the majority of Albertans.

The Alberta Federation of Labour, Canadian Union of Public Employees, Alberta Teachers’ Association, Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, United Nurses of Alberta and the Health Sciences Association of Alberta presented a united front against austerity policies and draconian cuts.

Polling, conducted by Environics in advance of the provincial budget showed that more than 70 per cent of Albertans reject public service cuts. More than three quarters of those polled agreed that there should be an increase on taxes for wealthy Albertans and for corporations. The majority of Albertans believe that the province should be investing more in health care, education and other services.

“Albertans aren’t as conservative as Alison Redford seems to believe,” AFL president Gil McGowan said. “She needs to listen better. Not to the radical tea party Tories, but to the majority of Albertans who are quietly progressive, and who want this province to be healthy and prosperous.”

LINK TO AUDIO

LINK TO PRESS RELEASE

STRIKE! The Musical

The Alberta Federation of Labour is proud to be bringing STRIKE! The Musical to Edmonton for its Alberta premiere.

This award-winning theatrical production, which tells the story of the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike, will be at the Timms Centre for the Performing Arts April 24 – April 28.

“When I saw Strike! three years ago in Winnipeg, I knew we needed to bring it to Alberta,” AFL president Gil McGowan said. “The 100th anniversary of the AFL was the perfect opportunity to organize this production. It’s an important story about the history of Canadian labour, and it’s one that inspires pride in the activism and work that our member unions do.”

For more information or to order tickets, please visit www.strikemusical.com

Solidarity with Post-Secondary Education

More than 500 students, workers, educators and activists marched on the legislature on March 15.

The rally, which was organized by the Coalition for Action on Post-Secondary Education, was protesting the massive cuts the Alberta Government imposed on universities and colleges throughout the province. The University of Alberta faces a 7.2 per cent cut.

Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil McGowan spoke at the rally, noting that the province’s economy depends on having a quality education system.

Urgent Action


Join us at the AFL’s 9th Biennial Convention

More than 500 labour activists, leaders and delegates will gather at the Shaw Conference Centre in downtown Edmonton from April 25 – 28 for the Alberta Federation of Labour’s 9th Biennial Convention.

The convention, which has the theme “Unions Stand on Guard for Thee,” will examine how the labour movement has helped create, and protect the prosperous, inclusive society of which Canadians are rightfully proud.

Coming from all corners of Alberta, delegates will celebrate the achievements of unions, hear from dozens of speakers, and help chart the direction of our further growth.

Registration starts Wednesday, April 24 and continues on Thursday, April 25.

2013 AFL Convention runs Thursday, April 25, 2013 – Sunday, April 28, 2013.

Convention Committees meet Wednesday, April 24.

AFL Council meets Tuesday, April 23.

Convention venue is the Shaw Conference Centre
Convention hotel is the Crowne Plaza Chateau Lacombe

Location: Shaw Conference Centre, Edmonton
Contact: Maureen Werlin at mwerlin@afl.org or 780-483-3021

Events


April 28 – International Day of Mourning for Dead and Injured Workers

May 1 – May Day March

May 3 – Deadline to register for Summer Labour School

June 14 – Deadline to register AFL Kids Camp

Did you know …


  • After production and development costs are factored in, Alberta only collects 54 per cent of the the excess profit from heavy oil production. By comparison, Norway collects 80 per cent, Russia collects 73 per cent and Angola collects 71 per cent.

  • Once ravaged by debt and war, higher oil royalties have helped Angola turn a budget deficit of 8.6 per cent of GDP in 2009 into a surplus of 12 per cent of GDP in 2012.
  • Alberta has the highest pay gap in Canada. Alberta women working full year and full time earn a median 68 per cent of what men earn. The pay gap is reduced for women in unions – to about 85 per cent of what men earn.
  • According to Environics polling conducted in February, 77 per cent of Albertans support increased taxes on corporations and those making more than $200,000.