As you may know, in 2020 the Alberta Government passed legislation (The Restoring Balance in Alberta's Workplaces Act, which was introduced as Bill 32) which created rules around the spending of union dues on what the legislation refers to as "core" and "non-core activities."
Under the legislation and its associated Regulations, prior to August 1, 2022, all unions must advise dues payers of the amount or percentage of dues that are spent on “non-core” activities. After August 1, 2022, employers can only deduct and remit to the union that portion of dues used for non-core activities if the dues payer has provided a signed election authorizing the employer to do so.
AUPE views Bill 32 and the associated Regulations as an unnecessary and unjustified interference in the democratically approved processes of the union. We also find it curious that a government that professes to be concerned about reducing “red tape” would pass unnecessary legislation that created significant “red tape” for both unions and employers.
Despite our concerns about the need for or validity of Bill 32, we take our legal obligations seriously. We have undertaken a careful examination of our expenditures and have consulted with legal counsel and with various entities to which we provide money. We have also considered that we receive significant revenue each year that does not come from ongoing dues. After carefully assessing all our financial information and legal obligations, we can report to you that none of your ongoing dues will be spent on non-core activities.
As such, there is no election required and as of August 1, 2022, we expect that your employer(s) will continue to deduct and remit dues in the same amounts as have been deducted and remitted to this point.