News

August 2010: New website; AB sheds jobs; Workers still at risk; Farm Workers at risk; Next Up Alberta

Welcome to our new website

  • The Alberta Federation of Labour has a new website and is now on Facebook and Twitter. We’d really like you check out the site (let us know what you think) and we believe you’ll find it worthwhile becoming Fans of our Facebook Page and becoming Followers on Twitter. You can do all that by following the links below.

Visit our new website
Connect on Facebook
Follow AFL on Twitter

Alberta sheds 13,000 full-time jobs in July

  • Premier Stelmach recently called on the federal government to end stimulus spending and let the private sector lead us to economic recovery, but the facts show his ideas are irresponsible. Alberta lost 13,000 full-time jobs last month, proving that the recovery is still fragile and that a reduction in government spending could cause a double-dip recession. Read more …

Workers still at risk, thanks to watered-down government plan

  • The Alberta government had a chance to take concrete action to save the lives of working Albertans by using a website to publish the names of employers who violate the Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Code – but it appears to have bowed to industry pressure by announcing a watered-down plan. For more information …

Government set to ignore judge’s recommendations on farm workers

  • Reports that the Alberta government will not include farm workers in health, safety and employment standards legislation, despite a recommendation to do so by a provincial judge in 2008, could lead to a constitutional challenge. Meanwhile, the government continues to allow unsafe and potentially exploitative working environments to continue. Read more …

Urgent Action


Sign up for Next Up!

  • Applications are now being accepted for the second year of Next Up Alberta: A Leadership Program for Young People Committed to Social and Environmental Justice. This is an amazing, intensive and transformative program for young social-change activists between the ages of 18 and 32. Read more …

Events


  • August 22, 2010 – Farm Workers’ Day, 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m., Turner Valley
  • August 29, 2010 – Big Splash Open Golf Tournament, 8:00 a.m., Raven Crest Golf Course
  • September 5, 2010 – Calgary Pride Parade, 8th Avenue and 8th Street SW, Calgary
  • September 6, 2010 – EDLC Annual Labour Day Barbeque, Giovanni Caboto Park, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • September 6, 2010 – CDLC Annual Labour Day Barbeque, Calgary Olympic Plaza, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
  • September 10/11, 2010 – CDLC Municipal Election Training Workshop. For more details …

Did you know …


  • Between 2006 and 2009, there were 142 fatalities on Alberta worksites, but only four convictions for fatalities that occurred since 2006. That’s a 2.8-per-cent conviction rate for worksite fatalities. If we add the 17 charges that are pending, Alberta prosecutes at a rate of 14.8 per cent. What about the 120 other workers who have lost their lives on worksites since 2006?
  • All of the 2009-2010 convictions are on guilty pleas, which shows the government’s unwillingness to litigate OH&S cases. They appear to only go to court when they have 100-per-cent chance of winning, meaning they aren’t willing to put any resources toward making employers accountable.
  • The vast majority of 2009-2010 convictions were for incidents that occurred more than four years ago. Victims and their families are waiting a long time for resolution.
  • Since 2005, Alberta Justice can’t account for eight of the 57 fines levied against employers, according to a Calgary Herald investigation into prosecutions/convictions.