By Alexander Delorme, Communications Staff
Time for Action bargaining town halls are coming to you, and all members are invited.
Negotiations have already reached a critical stage at bargaining tables across the province. Most of our employers are taking orders from the Government of Alberta and their proposals, showing almost no interest in improving our wages and working conditions. It is time for AUPE members to decide how we will fight for what we deserve.
Over 50 bargaining town halls are scheduled throughout June. Each town hall is an opportunity for all members to decide our union’s future.
“We are facing the same struggles at the same time. We need to stand together.”
The full schedule of town halls is listed on AUPE’s website, where members can also watch a special message from President Guy Smith on the state of collective bargaining.
“It’s an unprecedented year of bargaining,” says President Smith. “No matter who you work for, there are four key issues that affect all of us: we need higher wages, increased job security, improved workloads, and better benefits to protect our own health and safety.
“We are facing the same struggles at the same time. We need to stand together.”
Members across the province will receive email invitations, shareable posters, and timely reminders about the town halls, ensuring everyone has the chance to attend. Many notices have already gone out for the town halls scheduled in early June.
If you know a member who does not receive AUPE’s emails or phone calls, please share the town hall information with them and encourage them to update their contact information at www.aupe.org/update-info.
"When we stand up—tens of thousands of members at the same time—nothing can stop us."
Working towards a common goal is one thing, but Smith stresses the fact that our employers won’t give us what we deserve just because it’s the right thing to do.
“Your bosses should listen. They should finally give you the collective agreements you deserve. But they won’t just give it to you,” he says. “You’re going to have to stand up and fight for it. But when we stand up—tens of thousands of members at the same time—nothing can stop us.”
AUPE members have not organized province-wide action on this scale since the dozens of town halls we organized to resist premier Redford’s attack on our pensions a decade ago. But now, with many of us unable to keep up with the rising cost of living and breaking our backs under unsustainable workloads, we cannot afford to do nothing.
Each town hall with be hosted by the AUPE Vice-President who represents the town hall’s region: Bobby-Joe Borodey in Edmonton, Bonnie Gostola in Calgary, Sandra Azocar in the North-West, James Gault in the North-East, Curtis Jackson in the South, and Darren Graham in the Central region.
“I strongly encourage all members to attend these town halls,” says Smith. “Join us and experience the strength and solidarity that comes from thousands of AUPE members supporting each other.”