Spotlight on politics: It’s not political. It’s personal.

Do you stay away from conversations about politics? Does that go double for when you’re at work?

It’s understandable. You probably just signed up to provide high-quality public services for Albertans, not wade into the wild west of Alberta politics and moonlight as an activist.

But what happens when politics interferes with your job and life outside of work?

While AUPE is a non-partisan union, we have a responsibility to ourselves, our coworkers, and the people who rely on the services we deliver to raise the alarm and demand better from elected officials. After all, we’re Albertans who rely on public services, too.

Earlier this November, the United Conservative Party held its Annual General Meeting and unanimously voted on some deeply concerning policies, some of which have already become laws in Alberta.

You’d think they voted on policies that tackle the many crises we face, such as short staffing, skyrocketing cost of living, housing, and more – but that was not the case.  

Instead, the party’s agenda included union busting, stripping away transgender rights, and overturning diversity, equity, and inclusion policies in the public sector. They voted to:

• Make membership in the Alberta Teachers Association non-mandatory for teachers; 
• Remove diversity, equity, and inclusion requirements for hiring in the Alberta Public Service and Crown Corporations; 
• Attack the rights of transgender athletes, youth, as well as non-binary Albertans.

“It's incredibly disheartening. They say these policies aim to increase Alberta’s freedoms, but they actually dismantle the rights and freedoms for so many of us, like the 2SLGBTQIA+ community,” says Madeline Cuncannon, an AUPE Young Activist Committee member. 

Cuncannon is a council representative and member of Local 044 Chapter 002 Nursing Care. She began advocating for inclusivity in sports and for Gay-Straight Alliances to be more accessible in rural schools when she was 16 years old, and that sense of justice has served her well as a union activist too.

“When I was a young athlete, some of my peers were having difficulties in change rooms and finding safe spaces in schools to express themselves,” says Cuncannon. “They were experiencing difficulty getting to play sports because of how they identified. That’s when I got involved and tried to make it better for everybody – because everybody should be able to do what they love.”

AUPE was built on a foundation of fairness and respect. It’s what members fight for through collective bargaining and through direct action. That same grassroots activism and desire to stand up for what is right is what got Cuncannon involved in AUPE.

“It’s clear the government does not want inclusivity, they don't want equity,” says Cuncannon.

“As a health care worker, I feel everybody deserves to have access to health services. So, to have an entire community of people just lose that access or have more difficulty accessing programs – it's not just about the reassignment, it's about the hormone therapy and the mental health aspect of it as well – it doesn't feel quite universal anymore.”

According to Cuncannon, reduced access to public health care will be devastating for the trans community, especially young people. AUPE is ready to defend all union members at the bargaining table, through our advocacy for our members and in the streets if necessary.

She added that AUPE members in health care and education will likely experience challenging situations where they want to do the best they can to support trans youth but will have their hands tied because of the government’s new legislation. Their union can help these members challenge unjust policies and push for change from their employer.

AUPE Vice-President and Human Rights Committee chair Bobby-Joe Borodey insists that government decisions have real-life consequences. She believes AUPE plays an important role in making sure we use our power as workers to push back and defend the rights of all workers. “Keeping a watchful eye of the political landscape is vital to keeping employers, like the government, in check and demanding the respect we deserve,” says Borodey.

Borodey is disappointed that the government is attacking the rights of workers and marginalized communities instead of taking on the big issues affecting the province. Together workers from all backgrounds are stronger; issues that further marginalize people at work and through the services they provide are union issues and can be addressed through solidarity and mobilization.

“Premier Danielle Smith has a responsibility to consider what’s best for all Albertans, not just her supporters,” Borodey said. “If the government isn’t willing to fix the issues – AUPE members are ready to take to the streets and demand solutions, like a living wage, more staffing across all sectors, and better working conditions to serve Albertans better.”

Cuncannon believes education, awareness, and action are key ways AUPE members can organize and mobilize worker power to win.

“We must ensure that our workplaces are safe and inclusive places,” Cuncannon said. “It's important to use our voice and be loud. Politics does not just impact AUPE members, it impacts everyone.

“We should use our power for good, it’s what we do best.”