Support the change that brings workplace peace!

AFL Pushes for First Contract Arbitration

Lakeside Packers. The Calgary Herald. The Shaw Conference Centre. Three bitter strikes in the past five years. All of them about the same thing - a group of workers trying to get a first collective agreement.

First contracts are notoriously difficult to negotiate. A new union tries to come to an agreement with an employer unfamiliar with labour relations. Sometimes a deal is found. Other times - when the employer is stubbornly anti-union - things can get ugly.

And the result is a bitter and sometimes violent strike, as witnessed at Lakeside in the fall of 2005.

This happens far too often in Alberta. Why? Because there is a gaping hole in Alberta's labour law. There is nothing compelling an anti-union employer to bargain fairly and seriously. There is nothing stopping a union-busting employer from waiting out the process before a decertification can occur - or forcing the workers on a picket line.

Alberta is one of only three provinces that do not have rules for first contract arbitration. These rules would allow the government to impose a first contract when the two parties have reached an impasse.

In other provinces, first contract arbitration has proven to be effective at preventing bitter strikes over union recognition. They are successful at establishing the first agreement, which then allows the two parties to focus on making the relationship work.

We can prevent a repeat of Lakeside

In the aftermath of the bitter Lakeside strike, the AFL wants to ensure ugly disputes like it never happen again. The AFL has launched a campaign to pressure the government to implement first contract arbitration.

And you can help! Call your MLA. Call the Minister of Employment, Immigration and Industry. Call the Premier. Tell them you want a small change to the Labour Code to prevent a repeat of the Lakeside strike.

Call your MLA: 310-0000

email: Call Minister Iris Evans: (780)415-4800
email: iris.evans@assembly.ab.ca

email: Call the Premier: (780)427-2251
email: premier@gov.ab.ca

More information about First Contract Arbitration

Check out the material produced by the AFL for its campaign, including a leaflet, a radio ad and background information.

News Release Launching Campaign

Backgrounder on First Contract Arbitration

First Contract Leaflet

Radio Ad

Gil McGowan Speaking Notes at Launch

Quotes from Government

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