The provincial election is over and Danielle Smith remains Premier of Alberta.
While pundits, pollsters, and political staffers weigh in on what the results mean, AUPE members are focused on building our strength and solidarity in preparation for huge rounds of negotiations with the government in 2024.
“I would like to congratulate Premier Smith on her victory,“ says AUPE President Guy Smith. “I look forward to ensuring she clearly understands the many issues and challenges AUPE members are facing.
“As I have been saying to members for months, whomever forms government needs to know that we will fight for better pay, proper and safe working conditions, and secure employment. This is always a tough fight regardless of who forms government and sets their bargaining mandate.
“I have built positive relationships with six premiers during my time as AUPE President, even when we fiercely disagreed on key issues. I know how important it is to have respectful and open dialogue with elected leaders.”
“I would like to congratulate Premier Smith on her victory. I look forward to ensuring she clearly understands the many issues and challenges AUPE members are facing."
Like in previous elections, AUPE’s Committee on Political Action (COPA) dedicated hundreds of hours to speak with members about the election and why provincial politics matter. AUPE Vice-President and COPA Chair Mike Dempsey says he is proud of the committee’s work to prepare for the election.
“We worked non-stop on the election since last fall,” he says. “We collected over 7,400 survey responses on the political issues members care about. We promoted and interviewed AUPE members who ran as candidates in the election. And we shared our analysis of both major parties’ platforms, including how their policies would affect members.”
So what should AUPE members expect from Premier Smith and the UCP now that the election is over?
The UCP is probably not going to increase investment in direct government services, nor lighten our workloads. Premier Smith and her party are committed to “small-government,” which means reducing and even getting rid of the public services Albertans rely on.
“Neither party made promises that would significantly help AUPE members, and in Danielle Smith’s case, many of her proposals are just bad for us.”
The UCP has, however, recently focused on increasing the number of sheriffs and their responsibilities. This is interesting considering their proposal to replace the RCMP with a provincial police force. This could mean increased hiring and expanded duties for Local 002 and 003 members.
Health care members have the most to worry about. We must be on our guard in case Premier Smith continues the UCP government’s scheme to fire 11,000 front-line health care workers by contracting out of AHS General Support Services. She has committed millions of dollars for health care, but most of this money is going towards private surgery clinics and privatized continuing care companies.
“AUPE is a proudly political union. It does not matter which political party forms government, we have always fought for our rights, our working conditions, and stronger services for all Albertans, and we will continue to do so.”
Premier Smith has also promised to cap domestic tuition increases at post-secondary institutions for the 2024-25 school year. This promise probably sounds good to students, but Smith has not promised funding increases to go along with it. This means post-secondary institutions are going to tighten their budgets, which usually leads to layoffs and bad wage proposals for their workers.
“There is honestly not a lot to celebrate,” says Dempsey. “Neither party made promises that would significantly help AUPE members, and in Danielle Smith’s case, many of her proposals are just bad for us.”
Regardless of what Premier Smith has planned for the next four years, both Dempsey and President Smith are confident in AUPE members’ solidarity and willingness to stand up for themselves.
“AUPE is a proudly political union,” says Smith. “It does not matter which political party forms government, we have always fought for our rights, our working conditions, and stronger services for all Albertans, and we will continue to do so.”