By Jon Olsen, Communications Staff
‘Grassroots’ is a word you hear AUPE members say a lot. It represents a bottom-up approach to running our union, where the people at the ‘top’ take their direction from all the members at the ‘bottom,’ instead of the other way around. This grassroots philosophy is a closely held ideal for union activists and an expression of worker power.
Whether it's the grassroots democracy we see at our annual AUPE Convention or the grassroots organizing that sprung up during our Time for Action town halls and rallies this summer, grassroots movements can be powerful tools for change.
The Save Post-Secondary Bargaining campaign is an example of a successful grassroots campaign. In just a few months, more than 3,600 Albertans signed the campaign’s petition––an impressive outcome.
This is what grassroots union activism looks like. These rank-and-file AUPE members stood up and exposed the realities we are all facing at the bargaining table. Grassroots campaigns like this are how we can give change the opportunity to grow in this province.
The Save Post-Secondary Bargaining campaign seeds were planted in late 2023 as AUPE members gathered at a series of bargaining conferences to prepare for this year's historic round of bargaining. An important topic at the conferences was the Provincial Bargaining and Compensation Office (PBCO) and how the Government of Alberta uses it to influence bargaining across the province. Members wanted to resist the PBCO’s influence, which led to the campaign.
“This is what grassroots union activism looks like,” says AUPE Vice-President Curtis Jackson. “These rank-and-file AUPE members stood up and exposed the realities we are all facing at the bargaining table. Grassroots campaigns like this are how we can give change the opportunity to grow in this province.”
Negotiating teams have become well acquainted with the PBCO since it first started showing up at bargaining tables in 2017. It soon became clear the PBCO was calling-the-shots, especially during bargaining for wages and benefits.
This is a great example of grassroots––and union––power. These members raised their voices and were heard all the way to the floor of the Alberta Legislature. It shows what can happen when dedicated union activists stand up and stand together.
In April of this year, frustrated AUPE members working in post-secondary approached AUPE’s Executive with a plan to shine a light on the PBCO and their bargaining table tactics.
“When these members came to AUPE Executive with this campaign, they understood it was not likely to change the United Conservative government’s policy and remove the PBCO from the bargaining table," says Jackson. “Instead, they viewed this as an opportunity to educate AUPE members and Albertans about the PBCO, and how the Alberta Government is controlling all aspects of public-sector bargaining through that office.”
The campaign was wildly successful. AUPE members were engaged and conversations about the PBCO were sprouting up across the province, even reaching the floor of the Alberta Legislature.
On November 19, Save Post-Secondary Bargaining campaign organizers and Executive Committee members visited the Alberta Legislature as guests of MLA David Eggen, Opposition Critic for Advanced Education. On the campaign’s behalf, Mr. Eggen tabled a letter in the Legislature calling for the end to the PBCO’s interference in bargaining.
“This is a great example of grassroots–—and union–—power,” says Jackson. “These members raised their voices and were heard all the way to the floor of the Alberta Legislature. It shows what can happen when dedicated union activists stand up and stand together.”
Whether it’s an online petition or wearing red on your worksite; grassroots action works!