By Maureen Mariampillai, Communications Staff
It might not seem like it at times, but there is power in the struggle.
Employers want us to believe our voices don’t matter when we see injustice in the workplace or when we are being exploited. They’re wrong. Worker power exists on the shop floor and we see it every day. When we fight for our shared values, we have the power to dismantle the status quo and make life better for all of us.
Politicians love the status quo. Right now, the politicians running the Government of Alberta are deliberately failing seniors, the disabled, and the ill – as well as the workers who support them.
They do this to prioritize their political ideology and make profits for their friends, forcing workers to hold two or more jobs to earn a living and ordinary Albertans to sacrifice their wellbeing.
AUPE’s membership includes more than 13,000 Health Care Aides (HCAs) who provide vital support for people who are ill, elderly, or have a disability. They see the real-life impact budget cuts and job losses have on people who often can’t advocate for themselves.
It’s up to all of us to organize and be ready for when the moment arrives. Now is the time to ask yourself, ‘how can I support my union today’ because that moment is coming soon.
Health Care Aides are some of our fiercest activists, and we are drawing inspiration from our fellow HCAs who recently achieved greatness in Manitoba.
Last October, Manitoba Health Care Aides went from the worst paid support staff in the country to above average – all because they were willing to fight in bargaining.
Tens of thousands of workers, who are members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), threatened to walk off the job when negotiations with the government stalled.
They were ready to walk. But then, less than two hours before launching the largest health care strike in Manitoba’s history, their negotiating team reached a tentative agreement with the employer.
AUPE Vice-President Bonnie Gostola says CUPE members in Manitoba show us how the threat of a big strike can be just as effective as actually walking off the job.
“A strong strike vote shows we are united and ready to do whatever it takes to fight until our demands are met,” she says.
“It’s up to all of us to organize and be ready for when the moment arrives. Now is the time to ask yourself, ‘how can I support my union today’ because that moment is coming soon.”
Doing more for less is off the table. Period. It’s time for AUPE members to do what we do best and get the job done.
Workers across Alberta, whether they belong to a union or not, are underpaid and short-staffed. We are dealing with sky-high prices, unpayable bills, and the stress and anxiety that comes with it. AUPE members must demand better – not just for us, but for everyone.
“Doing more for less is off the table. Period,” says Gostola. “It’s time for AUPE members to do what we do best and get the job done.”
A work stoppage or strike is never a decision taken lightly. It’s hard on us, the people who rely on public services, and our communities. Our bosses and the government will be quick to point their finger at us to make us seem selfish for demanding respect and fairness.
But the truth is that we all deserve better, and it’s the rich and powerful who are hoarding more than their fair share. If we take after CUPE members in Manitoba, we can win what we need to save our hospitals, continuing care centres, and other public services.
When it comes down to it, it does not matter whether you work in the public or private sector. Ordinary people have the power to rise up against injustice and fight for an economy that works for us, not the rich. Let’s use our power to get the respect we deserve and support the Albertans who rely on us.