Update on In-Person AUPE Member Activities

AUPE prioritizes the health, safety, and welfare of all members, especially now as we all grapple with a worldwide pandemic.

While Alberta’s UCP government believes COVID-19 is no longer a concern, AUPE is taking amore cautious approach. We are concerned by the rise of significantly more transmissible variants, such as Delta, and only a modest uptake on 2nd vaccinations.

We must also recognize, however, that employers are still making decisions that negatively impact members despite the pandemic. They violate collective agreements and make decisions that are not in AUPE members’ interest.The last 16 months have been incredibly exhausting and challenging for AUPE members who continue to serve Albertans on the front lines, and so it is also understandable that members would like to meet with their fellow workers once again to share in our struggles and support each other in person.

As such, the AUPE Executive is issuing this update to the most recent advisory regarding in-person gatherings.

Should a component and/or worksite find it necessary to engage in direct action due to unfair treatment by their employer, or wish to gather for a function and/or event, doing so is permissible provided the following criteria are met:

• The direct action, event and/or function is to take place in an outdoor setting. 
• Coordinators implement safe gathering practices, and encourage participants to exercise social distancing, wearing of masks, and obtaining both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as eligible. 
• Members who participate must be told their participation is done so at their own risk, and AUPE will not be held liable in the event COVID-19 is contracted while engaging in an in-person direct action, event and/or function.  

*There is no change in the advisory pertaining to indoor membership meetings, social events, functions, and gatherings. Indoor events are still not encouraged at this time and will be reassessed in the Fall.

**Local and Area Council Annual General Meetings will continue to be scheduled and hosted virtually, as was carried by the Provincial Executive at the December 3rd & 4th PE meeting.

If you find yourself in a position where direct action is being considered, please reach out directly to your Membership Services Officer (MSO) by phoning the Member Resource Center at 1-800-232-7284, or by emailing them directly. Your MSO will connect you with AUPE staff who can assist you and your coworkers to coordinate appropriate direct action. Please note AUPE staff participation in direct action, functions and/or events will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, and there is no guarantee that staff and/or officers will be in attendance.

The AUPE Executive is also committed to monitoring the COVID-19 situation in Alberta. If provincial health measures are changed and/or there is inappropriate inaction by government, we will continue to assess the situation. If the safety and well-being of members becomes a concern, and it becomes necessary, a revised advisory may be issued.

Stay strong, be safe, and have a wonderful summer.

In Solidarity,
Your AUPE Executive Committee

Kevin Barry
Bobby-Joe Borodey
Mike Dempsey
Bonnie Gostola
Jason Heistad
Susan Slade
Guy Smith
Karen Weiers