Direct Impact Fall 2015

FALL 2015

CONVENTION

2015 Published by the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees

INSIGHT Listening to Members

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FALL 2015 CONTENTS

COVER

MAKING HISTORY BUILDING OUR FUTURE More than 1,000 will assemble at the Shaw Conference Centre in downtown Edmonton from Thursday, Oct. 22 thru Saturday, Oct. 24 for AUPE’s 39th annual Convention.

AUPE EXECUTIVE President Guy Smith

27

Exec. Sec.-Treasurer Jason Heistad

LABS TESTED

Vice-President Mike Dempsey

8

Front-line AUPE members take on AHS privatization plans…and win Vice-President Erez Raz

Vice-President Carrie-Lynn Rusznak

Vice-President Glen Scott

Vice-President Susan Slade

Vice-President Karen Weiers

Front-line staff, back of the line treatment

Editor Andrew Hanon

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15

REVIEW THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Contributors Tyler Bedford Vanessa Bjerreskov Merryn Edwards Design Jon Olsen Telephone: 1-800-232-7284 Fax: 780-930-3392 Toll-free Fax: 1-888-388-2873 info@aupe.org www.aupe.org Direct Impact is published quarterly, with a circulation of more than 80,000.

Long, hot season for wildfire fighters

AHS drags feet at bargaining table for 40,000 AUPE members

Executive Director Carl Soderstrom Managing Editor John Ashton

In the line of fire

From the President 4 Focus on AUPE 5 By the Numbers 6 Labour News 18 Labour Relations Briefs 25 Spotlight on Finance 26 Steward Notes Inside

Got a story idea? We want to know what AUPE members are up to.

Send your suggestions to editor@aupe.org.

Canadian Publications Mail Agreement: 40065207 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Alberta Union of Provincial Employees 10451 - 170 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T5P 4S7

15182

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FROM THE PRESIDENT

We have established ourselves as determined, professional and responsible, which the government respects.

I hope you had a great summer; found time to relax with friends and family and enjoy all our great Province has to offer.

Normally, the summer period is traditionally quieter for AUPE and the work we do on a daily basis. It seems however the last couple of years have not seen things slow down at all. This summer was no exception.

While the new government continues through the daunting process of transition, it was our goal to have meetings with key cabinet ministers by the end of summer.

This was important on a number of fronts. First, we wanted to continue to build the integral working relationship with the government. This is something we have always strived to do, regardless of who was in power. However it has to be said that so far the experience of interacting directly with government ministries has been very encouraging and a significant change from what we experienced with the previous government.

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AUPE has built up a level of recognition throughout the province that government ministers are well aware of. We have established ourselves as determined, professional and responsible, which the government respects.

And it is this level of respect that has offered us the opportunity to start addressing the many issues and concerns left over from our strained relationship with the previous government.

Whether it be pension security, occupational health and safety, staffing levels on the front lines, stalled and hostile negotiations, debilitating low morale and lack of support for the front lines, privatization initiatives, and an overall culture of mistrust and confrontation, I can say after meeting with many government ministers that they share our perspective in wanting to move forward on these and other issues.

This will take some time, however, as the new government continues to establish itself and overcome the many internal structural and institutional challenges that

come with a once-in-a-generation shift in political power.

Regardless, AUPE will continue to act as an independent and strong advocate for our members and the services Albertans rely upon.

Our struggles, victories and challenges of the recent past have been historical and have forged our resolve, determination and strength to unprecedented levels. This provides us with a solid foundation and framework to continue to build our future and prepare us for whatever challenges lie ahead. < In Solidarity,

Guy Smith AUPE President

FOCUS ON AUPE

1

3

2

4 In June AUPE members worked with film crews on the new member orientation video This Is AUPE. The members were filmed on the job at their worksites around the province. Here is a some behind-the-scenes look at the production. To find out more about This Is AUPE, go to page 18.

1 Conservation Officer Amit Dutta talks to the crew between takes in Kannanaskis.

2 Strathcona Country transit mechanic Bradley Johnson explains his daily routine.

3 Administrative Assistant Renata Gordon (centre) consults with a colleague at the University of Calgary.

4 Human Services Worker Rob Poggemiller discusses the benefits of AUPE membership while visiting a farm outside Rocky Mountain House.

5

5 Health Care Aide Anita Loughran on the set at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton.

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This fall, the Notley government will give working poor Albertans a break by increasing Alberta’s minimum wage. Over the next three years, they plan to phase in increases that will improve our minimum wage from lowest of the 10 provinces to one of the highest.

The sad fact is that Alberta has the highest average hourly wage in the country, but for years those at the low end of the pay scale have not been able to enjoy the province’s prosperity.

BY THE NUMBERS

LEVELING THE FIELD

ALBERTA MINIMUM WAGE

A LOOK AT ALBERTA’S NEW MINIMUM WAGE

OCT. 1, 2015: $11.20/HOUR BY 2018: $15.00/HOUR

THE INCOME GAP AVERAGE HOURLY WAGE BY PROVINCE (2014) MINIMUM HOURLY WAGE BY PROVINCE (AS OF JUNE 2015)

$23.25 WAGE GAP $13.00

$26.83 WAGE GAP $16.63

$10.25

BRITISH COLUMBIA

$24.96 WAGE GAP $14.76

$10.20

ALBERTA

$21.75 WAGE GAP $11.05

$10.20

SASKATCHEWAN

$22.74 WAGE GAP $11.74

$22.48 WAGE GAP $11.93

$11.00

$10.55

$10.70

MANITOBA

ONTARIO

QUEBEC

$20.56 WAGE GAP $10.26

$20.97 WAGE GAP $10.37

$10.30

$10.60

NEW BRUNSWICK

NOVA SCOTIA

$23.74 WAGE GAP $13.49 $19.03 WAGE GAP $8.68

$10.35

$10.25

PRINCE EDWARD NEWFOUNDLAND ISLAND & LABRADOR

THE SKY IS FALLING? After the government announced plans to introduced long-overdue fairness to the province’s minimum wage, the Canadian Federation of Independant Business (CFIB), which represents most minimum-wage employers in Alberta, warned of massive economic devastation. Media reports quoted a CFIB spokesman, who warned that their research on the planned increase “will definitely have a devastating impact on small business owners and Albertans across the province.” The thing is, the CFIB makes the same bleak prediction every time the minimum wage increases. And every year, it has no significant impact on unemployment.

2010

2011

Alberta’s minimum wage: $8.80 Unemployment rate: 6.6%

Alberta’s minimum wage: $9.40 Unemployment rate: 5.4%

THE CFIB SAID: It means

THE CFIB SAID: Any time

fewer employment opportunities to choose from, a smaller number of paid hours available, and it may actually threaten their jobs.

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governments interfere in the process, there can be serious collateral damage.

The end result is a destruction of jobs, and a reduction of hours for those who need it most.

2012

Alberta’s minimum wage: $9.75 Unemployment rate: 4.6% THE CFIB SAID: You ma

y actually see some jobs lost and some hours reduced for existing em ployees.

2013

Alberta’s minimum wage: $9.95 Unemployment rate: 4.6% THE CFIB SAID: For a business owner in some of these industries where they are already operating on razor-thin margins, a 20-cent increase in wage costs across the business can have a serious impact.

MINIMUM WAGE EARNERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY The percentage of the workforce in Alberta earning minimum wage is the lowest in the country. It’s so small that it’s hard to imagine an increase having any impact on the economy as whole. Where it will have a huge impact, however, is on the lives of the working poor.

WHO IS EARNING MINIMUM WAGE

BY GENDER

38%

62%

Slightly more than one third of Albertans earning minimum wage are male.

Women make up nearly two-thirds of the Albertans at the bottom of the wage ladder.

ALBERTA Lowest in Canada

2.2%

MALE

FEMALE

BY AGE

Opponents of a fair minimum-wage often say that it’s unnecessary because it mostly affects teenagers who live with their parents. But the truth is, 49% are aged 20 - 49, the age group most likely to be struggling to support a family. *Percentages below have been rounded

ONTARIO Highest in Canada

20-29

30-39

22%

16%

40-49

11%

11.7%

10%

CANADA National average

THE PERCENTAGE OF ALBERTA WORKERS EARNING LESS THAN $15/HOUR

MINIMUM WAGE SOLIDARITY

7.6%

Alberta isn’t alone in the debate over $15 minimum wages. Large U.S. cities are also ensuring that their populations earn a living wage.

44.7%

PERCENTAGE OF MINIMUM WAGE EMPLOYEES WORKING FULL TIME

Seattle, WA Takes effect: 2017 - 2021 Current Minimum: $9.32 San Francisco, CA Takes effect: 2018 Current Minimum: $10.74 (2014) Los Angeles, CA Takes effect: 2020 Current Minimum: $9.00

* New York, NY

Minimum wage will jump from $8.75 to $15.00 in 2018, for workers in the fast food sector.

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LABS TESTED It was a two-year roller coaster for Lyn Morrison-Roach and AUPE members working in Edmonton’s hospital labs, but their relentlessness, courage and commitment halted a massive and potentially disastrous privatization scheme.

Here’s how they did it.

L

yn Morrison-Roach will never forget the fear and sadness that swept over her in the fall of 2013 when she was told her job at a hospital-based lab in Edmonton would be contracted out.

But the lab assistant with 16 years on the job will also never forget the joy she felt Aug. 13, 2015. That’s the day she got a call informing her the NDP government had halted Alberta Health Services’ plans to privatize the labs and announced a full review of the process.

“I just stood up and looked around the office. All I could say was, ‘We won. We won.’ At first, most people had no idea what I was talking about,” she says.

Back in 2013, “it felt like someone kicked me in the stomach.”

The first thought to follow the grim news her lab would be privatized was, “Well, there goes our pension.”

By Andrew Hanon & Tyler Bedford Communications Staff 8 DIRECT IMPACT

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Morrison-Roach, who was on the executive of Local 054 at the time, got a call from one of her colleagues at the University of Alberta Hospital.

“She told me management was calling everyone into meetings. There was going to be a really big announcement. Rumours were swirling that they were going to privatize all the public labs.”

An icy finger of dread ran up MorrisonRoach’s back as she raced to her worksite.

Sure enough, the rumours were true.

AHS’s massive contract with Dynalife, the company that provided community lab services in Edmonton and northern Alberta, was expiring soon. The public agency planned to use the opportunity to contract out all of its hospital-based labs, consolidating all lab services under a single, for-profit provider. About 400 AUPE members and 600 other employees would be affected.

This wasn’t the first time a plan like this had been hatched. Back in the mid-1990s, Edmonton’s rapid-response hospital labs had been privatized, but after nearly a decade of issues with delayed service, mixed-up test results and the contractor’s inability to keep up with changing technology, they were brought back into the public sector in 2006.

This time around, Morrison-Roach says, “they tried to sell it as a positive thing, that we’d all keep our jobs. But they also couldn’t answer a lot of questions like what about our pensions, or what will happen to those who have two jobs, one in a hospital and one with Dynalife. They just kept saying, ‘trust us.’”

For the next week a cloud of stunned depression hung over Morrison-Roach’s worksite. “The laughter left. We hardly spoke to each other. Right from the get-go we knew this wouldn’t be good for patients.”

Morrison-Roach was already gearing up to fight AHS’s scheme. She began researching the companies competing for the contract, including Sonic, the Australian corporation that eventually won the right to negotiate with AHS. She started connecting with other employee groups – physicians, technicians, pathologists – to share information and ideas on how to stop the plan. She solicited support from AUPE and groups 10 DIRECT IMPACT

The government at that time was more concerned with corporate over public interests and in health care, that’s dangerous AUPE VP Susan Slade

like Friends of Medicare and Public Interest Alberta.

AHS brass staged numerous town-hall meetings for staff, supposedly to update them on the process, but Morrison-Roach says they evaded tough questions from the crowd. She herself was soon labelled a troublemaker.

Meanwhile, Morrison-Roach had been trying for months to get a meeting on a personal issue with her MLA, who also happened to be then-Progressive Conservative Health Minister Fred Horne.

“I finally got the meeting, but when I got into his office, I said, ‘Never mind that stuff. I have another issue to discuss,’ and starting talking about the labs.”

He tried to dismiss her by saying he could not interfere in AHS decisions, but she didn’t buy it. Over the course of Horne’s tenure as minister she became so tenacious he eventually stopped responding to her phone calls and emails.

In November 2013, Morrison-Roach and a few others met with new AHS CEO Duncan Campbell to present their research against privatizing hospital labs.

“It went really, really well,” she recalls.

“He said, ‘We have to put this on hold.’

Before we left we got his assurance that he would put out a memo to staff assuring them of this.”

Later that day, Campbell tweeted, “AHS will not be issuing its lab RFP [request for proposals] as planned. Stay tuned for decision in mid Dec. when we complete consultation with staff and physicians.”

Three days later, Horne, despite previously telling Morrison-Roach he couldn’t interfere with AHS, contradicted Campbell to the media and said privatization is forging ahead. Within days Campbell was removed from his position.

“It became clear at that point that the decision to contract out Edmonton’s acute

lab services was politically motivated and had little to do with providing the best care to Albertans,” said AUPE VicePresident Karen Weiers, who worked on AUPE’s Keep Labs Public campaign along with AUPE Vice-President Susan Slade.

“The government at that time was more concerned with corporate over public interests and in health care, that’s dangerous,” said Slade. “We knew we had to ramp up the campaign.”

Going through “proper channels” wasn’t working. It was time to go public.

On Nov. 22, 2013, privatization opponents staged a rally outside Horne’s constituency office in Edmonton-Rutherford. The event was a kick-off for a letter writing campaign that targeted politicians.

“We set up a Keep Labs Public website with a form letter people could sign and send to politicians,” Morrison-Roach explains. “But more importantly, we got the front-line staff to circulate copies of the letters to coworkers.”

She sits back and holds her hands up.

“The front-line staff were ah-mazing! When patients got wind of the campaign, they were asking for letters to sign. Some would take

It became clear at that point that the decision to contract out Edmonton’s acute lab services was politically motivated and had little to do with providing the best care to Albertans AUPE VP Karen Weiers

a couple dozen home for their families or to pass them around at church on Sunday.”

In the end, they collected 10,000 signed letters, about 80 per cent from the general public. Each was copied four times, with one copy going to Horne, one to the individuals’ MLA (“we reached 85 of 87 across Alberta!”), one to AHS and one to the NDP opposition.

“For three months it took over my life,” she recalled. “My family was stuffing letters into envelopes every night for hours. We even did it after Christmas dinner.”

That same month, a group of lab workers braved frigid winter weather for three nights to canvass every home in Horne’s constituency with flyers.

Later in the year, AHS announced it had chosen Sonic and would begin to

negotiate a 15-year, $3-billion contract.

Dynalife cried foul, saying it was never a given a fair chance and launched an appeal with AHS. “We didn’t give up hope, but we weren’t sure where to go. We had to wait and see how the appeal process sorted itself out,” says Morrison-Roach. It went on for months, but like everything else in this saga, nothing was revealed to the public.

When the NDP won the election May 2015, “I was ready to fire up the letter writing campaign again,” she says. “If they wanted 10,000 more letters, we’d get it for them.”

Finally, in August, newly minted Health Minister Sarah Hoffman said the words they had been waiting to hear.

“We’re not moving forward with any project,” Hoffman said. “I’m of the opinion that this would have been an experiment.

And I’m not prepared to experiment with people’s health and well-being.”

“These past two years have been such a roller coaster,” says Morrison-Roach with a sigh. But she has some advice for those fighting a seemingly unwinnable battle against powerful forces.

“Never, never give up.” < DIRECT IMPACT 11

in the line of fire 2015 will be remembered as one of the toughest, most unpredictable wildfire seasons in recent memory. Meet three AUPE members who are Albertaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first line of defense against one of the most devastating forces of nature.

By Andrew Hanon Communications Staff

12 DIRECT IMPACT

It was the end of another sweltering, exhausting 12-hour shift on the fireline in west central Alberta, but Natalie Romain still sounded exhilarated.

“I can’t believe it’s almost August,” the 26-year-old AUPE member said with a chuckle.

“I don’t know where it went.”

This fire season, Romain, an employee of Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, is a subcrew leader in the Edson unit crew, a 20-member team that fights the most stubborn wildfires in the district.

Generally, when a wildfire is reported, the first firefighters sent in are smaller, airborne “helitack” crews. If the fire is too large or spreading too quickly for them to contain, the larger unit crews are brought in to battle the flames from several angles, working in teams of five.

For the biggest wildfires, heavy machinery clears wide bands of land in front of the fire’s path to cut off its advance while the firefighters attack from the rear.

Alberta’s 2015 wildfire season got underway March 1, and the first half appeared set to break records. A hot, dry spring and early summer, combined with periods of high winds, created perfect conditions for huge swaths of Alberta’s forests to be destroyed.

By June, more than 1,800 men and women, some brought in from other provinces, were in the fight across Alberta. Up to 5,000 people were evacuated from the WabascaDesmarais region, but thanks to the Herculean efforts of the fire crews, no buildings were damaged and everyone was able to return home.

“It’s been a very challenging fire season,” said AUPE Vice-President Mike Dempsey, a Local 012 member and environmental protection officer with the government. “There have been periods where we have had to throw every available resource at wildfires. The incredible work these AUPE members do in these situations cannot be overstated.”

Fortunately, the weather began to cooperate in July, with increased rain, lower temperatures and less wind. By August, things had calmed down, but volatile temperatures and sudden heat waves meant things could flare up at any time.

When things are at their worst, firefighters like Romain can be expected to work 16-hour days on a 15-on, six-off rotation.

“You really have to be fit to do this job,” she said. “Even in the winter I train and work out regularly to keep myself in shape for fire season.”

There are few jobs as physically demanding as fighting wildfires. On top of battling flames under a glaring summer sun, you have to carry all your firefighting gear – including 55 pounds of hose and 65-pound water pumps – up steep mountainsides, through waist-deep muskeg or through dense brush.

On prolonged “campaign fires,” you work a 12- to 16-hour day and then sleep in a tent every night for more than two weeks at a time.

“When you’re out there,” said Romain, “you just stuff your pockets with all the sandwiches you can and eat when you get the chance.”

She adds with a mischievous laugh, “On the plus side, you can eat as much as you want because you know you’re going to work it all off.”

For those who do it, there’s nothing more rewarding.

“It’s hard to explain,” said Jamie Parker, a 25-year-old sub-crew leader with a helitack team based in Whitecourt. “One of the biggest things is the camaraderie you share with your crewmates. In training, we go through months of grueling physical fitness preparation.

It pushes you to your limits, but it also creates a real bond with the people going through it together.”

The unbelievable demands of this job, not to mention the risks and hazards they routinely face, show just how dedicated they are to protecting the resources that belong to all Albertans.

AUPE VP Mike Dempsey

Parker’s seven-member team is a rappel crew. When a fire is burning in terrain too rough for the helicopter to land, he and his compatriots are lowered by rope to the ground.

They fight the fire under the watchful eye of an airborne spotter, who directs them… and protects them with advance warning of dangers like shifting winds or the fire changing direction.

“One of the real hazards is falling trees,” he said. “The problem is, when they go DIRECT IMPACT 13

over they’re absolutely silent, so you have to watch for them. I’ve had to jump out of the way a few times.”

For Troy Meier, 25, every day promises something new.

“It’s always new and exciting,” the Calgary-based helitack sub-crew leader said. “In my five fire seasons, this one has by far been the most hectic.”

Meier comes by his sense of adventure honestly. “My father was in the military, and I always wanted to have a job that was cool like this. I did some research and found out about fighting forest fires. I thought, this is for me.”

He’s never looked back.

“I love the job. And I love the camaraderie you develop with everyone.

You really get brothers and sisters out of it,” he says, adding, “But you make sacrifices, too. There are times when you’re exhausted and you just want to go home to warm food and a soft bed.”

Romain said that for all the excitement and adrenaline involved in the job, no one lets you forget about safety.

“It’s the name of the game,” she said.

“You can’t just turn off safety.”

Before a crew goes in to a fire, it gets briefed on the fire’s “behaviour,” the wind and weather reports and any other particulars about the situation.

Everyone on the ground is in constant radio contact, and all crews remain under 14 DIRECT IMPACT

the watchful eye of the incident commander, who directs the firefighters from a clear vantage point in the air above the scene.

“The training is really rigorous,” she says.

“You really have to admire these AUPE members,” said Dempsey. “The unbelievable demands of this job, not to mention the risks and hazards they routinely face, show just how dedicated they are to protecting the resources that belong to all Albertans.”

Parker says a lot of people assume that fighting wildfires is a short-term seasonal job, done mostly by students. But the

truth is, there are many veterans with 20 or more years experience. For many, it’s a career and a lifestyle.

“Most seasons come and go without much public notice of the firefighters,” said Parker. “But that’s changing, maybe because the fire season is getting longer and more people are feeling the impact.

This year we were walking down the street in Fort McMurray and a couple of women recognized us. They came up and said, ‘Thanks for all your hard work. This is our town and you’re keeping it safe.’ I have to admit, it was pretty cool.” <

IN THE FIELD They work 12-16 hours a day in one of the most physically demanding jobs around, and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

Meet three AUPE members who fight wildfires.

Jamie Parker

Helitack Sub-Crew Leader Whitecourt

Natalie Romain

Sub-Crew Leader Edson

Troy Meier

Helitack Sub-Crew Leader Calgary

Steward sn Notes VOL. 8 â&#x20AC;˘ ISSUE 4 â&#x20AC;˘ FALL 2015

Union representation New members of AUPE need to know they have a right to union representation, even if they do not yet have a collective agreement in place.

By Merryn Edwards Communications Staff

AUPE is growing fast, thanks to our busy staff organizers and the many brave workers who have decided to form a union with their coworkers to have a voice at work. However, the time between the vote to certify the union at a new worksite and the finalization of the first collective agreement can be contentious, especially when employers and managers have little or no experience with unions.

Approximately 2,000 new members of AUPE are in the process of negotiating a first collective agreement, including 400 home care workers at CBI Home Health, STEWARD NOTES 1

sn 400 highway maintenance workers at Carillion and many more employees of private seniors care operators including Age Care, Bethany Care Society, Bethany Foundation, Choices in Community Living, Green Acres, Points West Living and Revera.

Although a collective agreement will regulate the method through which union members can exercise their right to union representation, this basic right is still protected under the Alberta Labour Relations Code, with or without a collective agreement in place. Section 148 of the Code states: “No employer or employer’s organization and no person acting on behalf of an employer or employer’s organization shall participate in or interfere with the representation of employees by a trade union.”

A 2005 decision by the Alberta Labour Relations Board involving a union certified the year before at Lakeside Packers in Brooks, where an employee had been terminated without access to union representation, stated that “[o]nly in the event of very extraordinary

Although a collective agreement will regulate the method through which union members can exercise their right to union representation, this basic right is still protected under the Alberta Labour Relations Code, with or without a collective agreement in place.

or exceptional circumstances arising would the Employer be justified in denying access to the Union’s representative to a location in the plant at which it had decided to hold a discipline meeting, and would require the Employer to forthwith make suitable alternative arrangements.”

This decision helped AUPE to challenge the termination of a CBI employee, leading to a negotiated settlement. AUPE was also able to advocate for a new office location for a group of CBI employees who had previously been required to start their shifts in a public women’s washroom at a seniors lodge.

The key to making the right to union representation more than simply an idea on paper is open and frequent communication between members and union representatives. Members are the eyes and ears on the worksite, so they need to be in touch with their representatives with any questions, concerns or information about possible violations of their rights as soon as possible. <

HAVE QUESTIONS? CONTACT YOUR MEMBER SERVICES OFFICER

CALL 1-800-232-7284 Have your local/chapter number and worksite location ready so your call can be directed quickly.

2 STEWARD NOTES

sn

Holding the line “A strike is not a tea party,” the Supreme Court noted in an often-quoted 1959 ruling. Emotions can run high especially when confronting scabs, so it is wise to know in advance what kinds of behaviours are acceptable while “holding the line.”

By Merryn Edwards Communications Staff

A court case is underway in Calgary for two security guards charged with assaulting AUPE picketers during a 2012 lockout at Monterey Place seniors care centre. One of the guards and general manager of the security company, Paul Senecal, told the court he lawfully arrested the picketers “as a Canadian citizen.”

In fact, much as employers (or overzealous security guards) might like to arrest picketers for less than genteel conduct, the law does not allow it. Legal precedents acknowledge picketing as a form of expression protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights

and Freedoms. Picketers’ freedom of expression is protected, unless it crosses other legal lines. Some examples of this: where there is direct evidence of illegal conduct by picketers, where police assistance has failed or where unlawful picketing is causing irreparable harm.

A Supreme Court decision in 2002 involving a strike at Pepsi-Cola in Saskatchewan decided that picketers (and all parties involved in a strike) could use a reasonable amount of psychological or other pressure. Such conduct could include pestering, annoying, mocking or shaming scabs, or reminding them that they are ruining

their reputation and will not be forgiven when everyone returns to work.

A 2012 Alberta Labour Board decision following a strike at the Palace Casino in Edmonton also found that picketers who published the names and photographs of scabs did not violate privacy laws, but restricted the publication of other personal information such as license plates, home addresses or family members.

Nevertheless, employers, security guards and even police may not have much experience with labour disputes.

In the case of police direction, picketers should follow the “work now, grieve later” principle and comply with police instructions, but ensure that the officer’s name and badge number and a full account of the incident are recorded, and contact information for any witnesses gathered.

Smart picketers will try to educate and communicate with scabs before moving past the polite stage, for example, explaining that their actions are not in the best interests of clients, since fair treatment for valued staff will always improve client services, or offering other options for employment.

You could also describe the long-term consequences of crossing the picket line, including damaging their reputation and relationships with co-workers, or consequences that could be imposed under AUPE’s Union Discipline process.

However, even when the polite stage ends, picketers should follow some basic ground rules (set before things get heated) including: no sexism, no racism, no homophobia, no insults based on someone’s physical appearance, and try to avoid swearing. You also must avoid threats to someone’s person or property, and any other behaviour that would cross legal lines.

It’s not always going to be pretty, but when coworkers and other union brothers and sisters support each other through intense and emotional experiences on the picket line, the bonds of solidarity and support are solidified just as starkly as scabs are isolated. < STEWARD NOTES 3

Steward Notes is published by the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees to provide information of technical interest to AUPE Union Stewards, worksite contacts and other members. Topics deal with training for union activists, worksite issues, disputes and arbitrations, health and safety, trends in labour law, bargaining and related material.

For more information, contact the editor.

President Guy Smith Executive Secretary-Treasurer Jason Heistad

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER! Labour education helps ensure AUPE members are trained and willing to take a stand for services to the public, decent jobs and fairness in the workplace and their communities. AUPEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Education Program is responsible for developing and delivering continuing education courses to members and officers in support of the role they perform in their Union.

AUPE courses are scheduled to be offered in Edmonton, Red Deer and Calgary. To register for core courses, contact the AUPE Resource Centre at 1-800-232-7284. You can also email the registrar for the area closest to you: Edmonton (edmontonregistrar@ aupe.org), Red Deer (reddeerregistrar@aupe.org), Calgary (calgaryregistrar@aupe.org).

Education Schedule - Fall 2015 EDMONTON

CALGARY

RED DEER

Introduction to Your Union

Oct. 6 Nov. 10

Oct. 6 Nov. 10

Oct. 1

Contract Interpretation

Oct. 14 Dec. 1

Oct. 14 Dec. 1

Nov. 5

Introduction to OH&S

Oct. 7 & 8

Oct. 7 & 8

Oct. 14 & 15

Basic Conflict Management

Sept. 30 & Oct 1 Nov. 17 & 18

Oct. 15 & 16 Nov. 17 & 18

Oct. 28 & 29

Component Officer

Sept. 29 & 30 Oct. 28 & 29

Oct. 28 & 29

Nov. 3 & 4

Foundations for Union Stewards

Nov. 4-6

Nov. 25-27

Nov. 18-20

OH&S for Stewards

Dec. 15 & 16

Dec. 15 & 16

Online Introduction to Your Union

Nov 23 - Dec 4

Please note: Members within the Grande Prairie, Peace River and Athabasca servicing areas are required to register for courses in Edmonton.

Members within the Camrose servicing area are required to register for courses in Edmonton or Red Deer. Whichever location is closest to your home.

Members within the Lethbridge and Medicine Hat servicing areas are required to register for courses in Calgary.

When registering for courses, members are required to call to register for themselves as well please ensure all course prerequisites are met.

For more details regarding courses AUPE has to offer please refer to the AUPE website at http://www. aupe.org/member-resources/education/. This includes the core course schedule for Fall 2015, course descriptions with prerequisites, Union Steward nomination forms and other AUPE Education details.

4 STEWARD NOTES

Vice-Presidents Mike Dempsey Erez Raz Carrie-Lynn Rusznak Glen Scott Susan Slade Karen Weiers Executive Director Carl Soderstrom Managing Editor John Ashton j.ashton@aupe.org Editor Andrew Hanon a.hanon@aupe.org Writer Merryn Edwards m.edwards@aupe.org Design Jon Olsen The goal of Steward Notes is to help todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s AUPE Union Stewards do their jobs effectively. To help us, we encourage readers to submit story ideas that deserve exposure among all AUPE stewards.

Story suggestions for Steward Notes may be submitted for consideration to Communications Staff Writer Merryn Edwards by e-mail at m.edwards@aupe.org or by mail. Please include names and contact information for yourself and potential story sources.

Alberta Union of Provincial Employees 10451 - 170 Street NW Edmonton, AB T5P 4S7 T: 1-800-232-7284 F: (780) 930-3392 info@aupe.org www.aupe.org

, f f a t s e front-lin e h t f o back

t n e m t a e r t e n li ining for s a g r a b s r AHS stall 40,000 membe n more tha

By Tyler Bedford Communications Staff DIRECT IMPACT 15

Standing around five foot, five inches tall, she’s petite with blonde hair, kind eyes and a bright smile. Her voice is soft and even cracks a bit as she speaks through her shyness.

At first glance it’s unlikely you’d see her as a hero. She doesn’t wear a disguise. She can’t fly and she has no loyal sidekick. But she is a hero, even though she may not think so.

Every day she puts herself at risk to protect others. She’s the first line of defense against contagions, diseases, viruses, superbugs and other illnesses lurking in every corner of the urban hospital she works in. She keeps staff and the public safe and she helps sick patients get better. She’s been doing it for eight years.

She’s one of more than 25,000 members of Alberta Health Services’ General Support Services; her job in environmental services is professionalized and requires specific training. Working with specialized chemicals, disinfectants and sanitizers that kill deadly infectious diseases requires explicit knowledge. In fact, new environmental services employees must complete training before even setting foot in the hallways of Alberta’s hospitals. It can be very dangerous work and not everyone is cut out for it.

For example, you probably recall last year’s global outbreak of Ebola. Anxieties grew as the deadly virus reached the United States in September 2014. That same month, an Ebola scare hit the emergency room of the Royal Alexandra Hospital in downtown Edmonton when an ill patient, suspected of contracting Ebola after visiting Africa, entered the emergency department. As a result, Alberta Health Services evacuated and quarantined the area.

16 DIRECT IMPACT

Patients and most employees were vacated, but staff from environmental services rushed in to sanitize the area.

The busy ER was reopened following its decontamination and confirmation the patient, thankfully, did not have the virus.

So you see, her work is a lot more than sweeping floors or wiping down beds.

She explains that the places where patients heal, families wait and staff work must be absolutely hygienic and she makes sure they absolutely are. She plays an important role in patient care.

“It gives me great satisfaction knowing I’m part of the health-care team at my hospital,” she said.

To be exact, there are 25,488 AUPE members on AHS GSS teams provincewide and every one of them is an integral part of the health-care system. They do things like sterilize surgical instruments

and stock hospitals with supplies. They prepare food, register patients, provide security, maintain computer systems and much more.

All GSS employees play an important role in making and keeping Albertans healthy. But that importance has so far failed to resonate with the employer at the bargaining table.

“The AHS GSS has been without a collective agreement since March 2013,” said AUPE President Guy Smith. “That leaves members feeling devalued and underappreciated for the important work they do.

“In January, Alberta Health Services under CEO Vickie Kaminski reversed the one per cent wage increases initially proposed by the employer and replaced them with zeros,” Smith said.

“We were perplexed by AHS’s step backward because its own surveys highlight very serious problems with employee optimism,” said AUPE Negotiator Kevin Davediuk. “This move

by AHS certainly does nothing to improve or address that fact.

“Not only is AHS’s bargaining position disrespectful, it ignores the employer’s obligation to negotiate in good faith. This led AUPE to file a legal complaint with the Alberta Labour Relations Board alleging bad faith bargaining. We also applied for interest arbitration to help resolve the impasse. However, in May we adjourned the bad faith complaint as a result of the change in government and our hope was AHS would adjust its approach to labour relations.”

AUPE received notice on June 29 that Lori Sigurdson, NDP minister of labour, established a three-member Compulsory Arbitration Board to deliberate the dispute with Alberta Health Services.

“This is a positive step toward resolving our impasse with the employer,” said Davediuk. “But AHS so far has not changed its bargaining approach and that’s disappointing.”

Knowing more than 25,000 essential health care and health services employees in Alberta are without the stability of a collective agreement is alarming. But adding more than 13,000 to that number is almost unbelievable.

Well, believe it.

The 13,278 AUPE members working in Auxiliary Nursing Care for Alberta Health Services have been without a collective agreement since March 2015 and bargaining is heading down a path similar to the General Support Services.

On Aug. 7, negotiations broke down and the union was forced to file for mediation citing lack of meaningful progress.

“Like with the GSS, AHS simply refuses to come to the bargaining table with any sort of bargaining mandate for ANC members,” said Davediuk. “That adds to the turmoil and destabilizes the entire system, which affects quality care.”

“ANC members are skilled professionals who work as Licensed Practical Nurses and Health Care Aides. They are 91 per cent women and the work they do is crucial to the overall quality of health care Albertans expect and deserve,” said President Smith. “They deserve to be valued for the work they do.

“We’ve been directed by ANC members to address serious workplace issues with the employer like professionalization and skill recognition for LPNs, hours of work provisions, workload issues and language

restored before confidence is fully broken.

One significant way to achieve that is by AHS negotiating in good faith to reach a fair agreement.

“I was pleased to hear NDP Health Minister Sarah Hoffman take a similar tone,” said Smith.

In May, Hoffman told the Edmonton Journal that top of mind for the government is ensuring health care stability.

She said, “That means stability in terms of front-line services. We want to make sure we’re creating some calm and some reassurance among patients as well as the front lines.”

“Respect and fairness at the bargaining table are key factors to creating that stability and calm among the front lines, said President Smith. “We’re hopeful Minister Hoffman agrees and will step in to help resolve this very serious situation.”

The Auxiliary Nursing Care and General Support Services bargaining teams from AHS and Covenant Health met for a joint meeting at union headquarters in September to discuss options and to plan their next unified steps.

Combined, the ANC and GSS bargaining tables represent 38,766 health-care

We’ve seen nothing but instability in Alberta’s healthcare system since 2009. Our ANC and GSS members, as well as all Albertans must have that stability restored before confidence is fully broken. One significant way to achieve that is by AHS negotiating in good faith to reach a fair agreement.

AUPE President Guy Smith

to address bullying and harassment, but AHS simply refuses to engage. That plummets esteem at the workplace,” Smith said.

“Members have told us they do not feel supported by AHS management and so far, their treatment at the bargaining table has only enhanced weakened morale and systematic destabilization.

“We’ve seen nothing but instability in Alberta’s health-care system since 2009.

Our ANC and GSS members, as well as all Albertans, must have that stability

members. Moreover, the lack of meaningful progress now affects an additional 7,000 continuing care members who are waiting for the outcomes of AHS bargaining.

“The stalemate created by AHS has created a clog in labour relations and negotiations for thousands,” said President Smith.

“AUPE will continue to press the new provincial government to direct Alberta Health Services to reengage in meaningful and respectful collective bargaining in a fair and timely manner.” < DIRECT IMPACT 17

LABOUR NEWS

This Is AUPE New member orientation materials rolling out in the fall to inform and inspire AUPE newcomers For new members of AUPE, understanding such a large and diverse organization can be daunting, especially if they are also starting a new job or have no past union experience. This is AUPE orientation materials, including a magazine and a series of videos, will reach out to new members to inform and inspire them as they join a new worksite.

In the past, AUPE locals have borne the sole responsibility for orienting new members. But when lists of new employees are slow in coming from employers or worksites are spread across vast distances, AUPE has risked letting new members fall through the cracks.

“It’s important that we reach out to new members when everything is new and

months of joining AUPE. Beginning in late September, new members will receive a copy of This Is AUPE, a magazine that provides an overview of what it means to be an AUPE member, including information on AUPE’s services and how to keep in touch and get involved. An online version of This Is AUPE will also be available through Issuu.com.

A short video version of This Is AUPE, which will debut at the 2015 Convention in October, is also in the works. Members will be able to watch it at their own convenience online or as part of orientation sessions at their worksite or through initiatives of AUPE locals or chapters.

Shorter videos on specific topics such as collective agreements or occupational health and safety will also be produced over the next year.

The videos will portray a sampling of AUPE members at work, along with interviews with them about their involvement in the union and what advice they have for new members.

For Renata Gordon, an Administrative Assistant at the University of Calgary who participated in the filming, her work at an institution that helps students develop the skills necessary

AUPE would like to thank the members who agreed to be a part of the This is AUPE project.

It would not have been possible without their dedication and time.

Rob Poggemiller

Human Services Worker Child & Youth Services

Renata Gordon

Administrative Assistant University of Calgary

Frank Snow Electrician

University of Calgary

Amit Dutta

Conservation Officer Kananaskis District

Ian Hutchings

Corrections Officer Lethbridge Correctional Centre

Amber Kauvaka

Corrections Officer Lethbridge Correctional Centre

Helen Cyrus

It’s important that we reach out to new members when everything is new and fresh, whether they are starting a new job or joining through the energizing process of forming a new union at work.

AUPE Executive Secretary-Treasurer Jason Heistad

fresh, whether they are starting a new job or joining through the energizing process of forming a new union at work,” said AUPE Executive Secretary-Treasurer Jason Heistad. “When people are open and ready to learn new things, that’s the perfect time to encourage them to find out about AUPE and how they can get involved.”

Although nothing can replace the value of a face-to-face orientation at the worksite, chapter or local level, the new process will ensure new members receive orientation materials within a couple of 18 DIRECT IMPACT

for the future of this province and her involvement an as an active member of AUPE are two sides of the same coin.

“I’m constantly thinking about Alberta’s future, and I think AUPE has to be a part of that future,” said Gordon. “To me, being a member of AUPE means contributing what I can to a long legacy of helping Albertans.” <

Licensed Practical Nurse Covenant Health

Anita Loughran

Health Care Aide Royal Alexandra Hospital

Terry-Lynn Panter Health Care Aide

Royal Alexandra Hospital

Bree-Ann Barr

Licensed Practical Nurse Royal Alexandra Hospital

Tim Liu

Operating Room Attendant Royal Alexandra Hospital

Marion Potts

Environmental Attendant Royal Alexandra Hospital

Bradley Johnson To see behind-the-scenes photos of This is AUPE go to page 5

Transit Mechanic

Strathcona County

LABOUR NEWS

Making History - Building Our Future It is the most important three days on AUPE’s calendar.

From Oct. 22-24, approximately 850 delegates representing all of AUPE’s 33 Locals will gather in Edmonton for the union’s 39th annual Convention.

They will set the union’s agenda for the next year, voting on various proposed resolutions, policies and bylaws. They will also determine the union’s budget for the coming fiscal year.

It’s a massive responsibility and a lot of work, but it’s one of the reasons AUPE is so successful.

“Democratic representation of all of our members is the cornerstone of AUPE,” explained President Guy Smith. “Our system of governance is intricate but that’s because it has so many checks and balances to ensure that all members’ voices can be heard at every level of decision making.”

AUPE has 33 Locals, which are divided into 330 Chapters (based primarily on employer or job site). Officers of the Chapters and Locals are elected by the membership. The Local Executives nominate one member to represent their members on the Provincial Executive (PE), which gathers six times a year to make decisions based on the direction set by the previous Convention, and to govern between Conventions.

The Executive Committee is elected by delegates at Convention. This eightmember body, made up of the president, executive secretary-treasurer and six vicepresidents, report to PE on a regular basis.

This ensures that the lines of communication run from the membership to the Chapters and Locals, to PE, the Executive Committee and on to Convention.

One of the main items of business at the 2015 Convention is the election of the Executive Committee.

All eight members serve twoyear terms. All candidates must be nominated by delegates from the Convention floor. Delegates will vote for the candidates of their choice on the second day of Convention, Friday Oct. 23, with the results announced shortly after.

Many Executive Committee candidates announce their intention to run for office in the months leading up to Convention. For those who begin campaigning by early summer, Direct Impact gives them a chance to publish a statement in their own words in the fall issue of the magazine. The list is not comprehensive; the final list of candidates will not be known until nominations are closed at Convention.

You can find the candidate statements on page 27. <

Get DI on your computer or mobile device!

AUPE is pleased to offer Direct Impact online or on your mobile device.

For mobile Download the free Issuu app and search “AUPE” Or go online Visit issuu.com and search “AUPE”

It’s that easy!

DIRECT IMPACT 19

LABOUR NEWS

STAY INFORMED SAVE PAPER UPDATE YOUR EMAIL TODAY

Make your voice heard Federal election called for Oct. 19 By the time you read this, we will be past the mid-point of the longest Canadian federal election campaign in more than 140 years.

This campaign, which wraps up on Oct. 19 when Canadians choose the government, will have lasted 78 days, which according to the Ottawa Citizen is four weeks longer than the average modern writ period.

Only Canada’s first two federal elections, in 1867 and 1872, were longer. Voters back then didn’t face constant bombardment of attack ads through Facebook, Youtube and Twitter.

Information and rhetoric reached voters at a much slower pace in the 1800s. Actual voting also took several days, unlike the single voting day of modern times.

But don’t be lulled into ignoring this election by the campaign’s length; the stakes are as high as ever on Oct. 19, and AUPE members have a vital role to play in choosing the next government of Canada.

With Alberta’s rapidly growing population, Elections Canada has increased the number of Members of Parliament to represent the province to 34, six more than in the 2011 election.

Just like in the Alberta provincial election in May, AUPE is urging its members to educate themselves about the candidates and parties competing for their votes.

At the time of this writing, AUPE’s Committee on Political Action (COPA) is developing what’s known as a GOTV plan 20 DIRECT IMPACT

UPDATE YOUR INFO AT www.aupe.org/update-me

The seats in Parliment sit idle as Canadians prepare to hit the polls on Oct. 19.

(short for Get Out The Vote) that will be modeled after the provincial election plan, but with some differences to ensure it stays within federal election laws.

As always, the GOTV effort will be nonpartisan. Members will be encouraged to take part in the process and support the politicians and parties that best reflect their interests.

“The plan is still subject to PE approval,” Vice-President Mike Dempsey, who chairs COPA, said in a recent interview. “But it’s vital that as many AUPE members as possible get involved. As individuals, they can support candidates any number of ways. If politicians understand that AUPE members are active, engaged and watching them, they will have no choice but to listen to their concerns.”

Dempsey added: “Of course, the most important thing anyone can do in an election is to make sure they get out and vote.” <

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Exclusive deals for AUPE members AUPE members save on everything from fuel to fitness classes to financial products. www.aupe.org/discounts

LABOUR NEWS

New website to improve services to members

Power at the plate Empowering stewards with knowledge and revamped training If anyone understood the importance of effective training it was Roger Maris.

The baseball legend, whose singleseason home run record stood for nearly four decades, never left anything to chance. He was a talented athlete, but through rigorous training, Maris ensured he was primed and ready for every game.

It’s the same idea behind AUPE’s new, Union Steward training program.

“We want to ensure our Union Stewards have the best training to represent

We want to ensure that our Union Stewards have the best possible foundation and training to represent members when they have workplace issues AUPE VP Glen Scott

members when they have workplace issues,” saidVice-President Glen Scott, who chairs the union’s Membership Services Committee. “Union Stewards are one of the cornerstones of any union.”

The three levels for Union Stewards have now been phased out and replaced with a single level. Level 1 stewards are considered nominated Union Stewards and are required to take the new three-day training course called Foundations for Union Stewards to be recognized as Union stewards.

Level 2 and 3 stewards are now classified as Union Stewards and don’t have to take the new training.

The course will prepare all Union Stewards to handle grievances, with training in such areas as interviewing members, investigations, disciplinary and non-disciplinary grievances, grievance writing and presentation, and more.

After taking the intensive training, all participants will be given a homework assignment. After that assignment is successfully completed, they will spend time being mentored by an AUPE staff Membership Services Officer (MSO).

Following the completion of this, they will become a designated Union Steward and ready to: interpret collective agreements; represent members in meetings and investigations; attend disciplinary meetings and file and present grievances.

“This new training will be very thorough,” said Scott. “Union Stewards will be very well prepared. And they will, as always, have the full support of the union behind them.”

In order to qualify for the program, candidates must first complete prerequisite courses, including Introduction to the Union, Contract Interpretation, Introduction to Health and Safety and Basic Conflict Management. They must also be nominated by their Chapter or Local Chair.

To find out more or download a course calendar, go to www.aupe.org, click on “Member Resources” at the top and then click “Education” on the left-hand side. <

Five years is an eternity in high tech.

In 2010, Twitter was only beginning to explode onto the public consciousness, Google had just launched its first smartphone, and Apple had revealed a brand-new game-changing device called an iPad. It was the dawn of the age of mobile computing and constant connection.

It was also the last time that AUPE’s website, www.aupe.org, had its design overhauled.

Now, it’s time to bring AUPE’s online presence up-to-date.

A redesigned and updated aupe.org will be unveiled later this fall. The site will be reorganized to make it simpler and easier for members to find the information they’re looking for.

Website user data shows what pages and features are most popular with members. The new design will reflect that, ensuring they are more prominent and easily accessible.

Another important feature in this era of mobility is that the design will be mobilefriendly, allowing users to easily navigate the full website on their smartphones and tablets without the dreaded pinch-and-zoom.

The site will also have added features to make it easy for members to share items on social media.

In addition, members can sign up for a regular email newsletter notifying them directly about the latest news, features and updates, tailored specifically for their needs and interests.

It’s all designed with members in mind.

Watch for the new website this fall. < DIRECT IMPACT 21

LABOUR NEWS

Pushing pay equity onto the agenda Revived ministry gives equality activists hope for change It’s a new provincial cabinet post that has received little attention since the new NDP government was sworn in, even though the politician who holds it is charged with improving the lives of half of Alberta’s population.

Shannon Phillips, the government’s Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, has a big job ahead of her. And it’s one of particular importance to AUPE, whose membership is 80-per-cent female.

“It is a privilege and an honour to be named Alberta’s first ever Minister responsible for Status of Women,” Phillips said. “Our ministry’s goal is to improve gender equality in all of our communities.

We want to ensure the benefits of better economic policies are more widely shared.”

She added: “That’s why our government is raising Alberta’s minimum wage. We will

need for greater gender equity,” said VicePresident Erez Raz, who chairs the union’s Pay and Social Equity Committee.

There hasn’t been much news to come out of the Legislature on the gender equity front, but Raz says the committee is being patient.

“The new government has a lot on its plate, and right now the public is focused on the economy and the energy sector.

We are glad the government has taken this first step of having women’s issues represented at the cabinet table.

But we are going to need action. We hope that comes soon.

AUPE VP Erez Raz

also be reviewing employment standards to support family-friendly work standards.

There is a lot of work to do, but I know that by working together we can achieve great things for women across our province.”

“I think it’s absolutely awesome that the Alberta government recognizes the 22 DIRECT IMPACT

Phillips is also the environment minister, and that ministry has a big role to play on that issue,” Raz said.

“That said,” he continued, “the committee plans to reach out to the minister and urge her to make pay equity a priority.”

Alberta is the only province that has not

made progress on pay equity. Currently five provinces have it enshrined in law, while the other four are working toward it.

“A lot of people don’t understand what it means,” said Raz. “Here’s an example of how insidious it can be: a woman gets hired and is given the title of administrative assistant. If man gets hired into the same job, he might be given the title executive assistant. They’re doing the same work but he gets a fancier title and more pay. Women need legal protection from that kind of discrimination.”

To help members better understand the importance of pay equity, the committee is developing an online resource, complete with interactive education components and a letter-writing tool directed at politicians. They plan to unveil it at AUPE’s convention in October.

“We are glad the government has taken this first step of having women’s issues represented at the cabinet table,” said Raz. “But we are going to need action. We hope that comes soon.” <

LABOUR NEWS

Labour of love Front-line GOA employees raise $1 million a year to fight poverty As far as Perri Garvin is concerned, the labour movement and the United Way go hand-in-hand.

“Look at all the similarities,” says Garvin, who for the past 15 years has served as the United Way Alberta Capital Region’s coordinator of labour programs.

“Both are always trying to find ways to help out the underdog,” he explained. “Both have a strong sense of fairness. There’s a sense of generosity that both share.”

In fact, Garvin points out, labour was there at the founding of the capital region’s United Way effort in 1962.

And Garvin, who for years was an activist with the UFCW, calls AUPE a critical supporter of the United Way’s efforts to eradicate poverty in the Capital Region.

Every year the Capital Region United Way raises approximately $25 million to fund various programs that help improve the lives of struggling individuals and families, and “AUPE is a huge part of that,” he says.

“Front-line Government of Alberta employees alone raise about $1 million a year. They are a huge part of the United Way.” AUPE members show their generosity and community spirit in a number of ways, including payroll deduction plans, onetime donations and fundraisers at work.

“What’s really great is that it’s the employees – the union members – who run the campaign,” Garvin explains.

“They just run with it. It’s awesome.”

To find out more about the United Way Alberta Capital Region or a list of the poverty-reduction programs they support, go to www.myunitedway.ca. <

Member Resource Centre

ONE NUMBER

HELPING 87,000 MEMBERS If you’ve called AUPE lately, you already know the benefits of our new Member Resource Centre. A team member connects you with the services you need faster than ever. Most requests can be handled the minute we pick up your call. Have a complex issue? The next time you call, our new technology will allow us to pick up the conversation the same place it ended.

1-800-232-7284 DIRECT IMPACT 23

LABOUR NEWS

We wanted to be an organization that could represent its members at the bargaining table—an organization with some teeth in the labour movement.

AUPE’s inaugural President Bill Broad 1921 – 2015

Bill Broad (1921 - 2015) AUPE mourns passing of its first president The man who led AUPE through its inauguration as an independent union passed away in June, just as the union was beginning preparations to commemorate the centennial of its forerunner organization, The Civil Service Association of Alberta.

Four-hundred brave government workers formed the CSAA in 1919 at a time when approaching your supervisor to discuss wage increases was grounds for dismissal. This bold step must be understood in the context of growing unrest among workers across the country, who strained under the difficult living and working conditions following the end of the First World War. The CSAA remained the only voice of Alberta government employees for almost half a century. In 1968, the provincial government passed the Civil Service 24 DIRECT IMPACT

Association of Alberta Act, which severely restricted the CSAA’s ability to act on behalf of its members.

Thomas William “Bill” Broad became CSAA president in 1972, and helped to

was formed, electing Bill Broad as its first president at a historic Convention in 1977.

Bill Broad passed away in Edmonton on June 3, 2015 at the age of 93.

“This great union traces its roots directly back through Bill,” said AUPE Vice-President Carrie-Lynn Rusznak. “He helped blaze the trail for all AUPE has accomplished in the last four decades.

“When we understand the history of our struggles and achievements, we strengthen our ability to represent our

When we understand the history of our struggles and achievements, we strengthen our ability to represent our members and improve the lives of working people. That is the best way that we can honour the legacy of pioneers like Bill Broad.

AUPE VP Carrie-Lynn Rusznak

lead efforts to overturn this restrictive legislation. After eight years of lobbying by members, the act was repealed in 1976, and the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees

members and improve the lives of working people,” said Rusznak. “That is the best way that we can honour the legacy of pioneers like Bill Broad.” <

LABOUR RELATIONS BRIEFS MAY 25 - AUGUST 20, 2015

Local 071 Chapter 008 Portage College: Staff ratify agreement

Support staff at Portage College have ratified a three-year collective agreement that reflects the pattern of recent settlements in the postsecondary sector.

The three-year deal, retroactive to July 1, 2013, will see the employees receive a $1,350 retroactive lump sum payment for the first year, followed by a two-per-cent wage increase retroactive to July 1, 2014 and a 2.25-per-cent wage increase retroactive to July 1, 2015.

Local 048 Chapter 011 Edith Cavell Care Centre: Interim contract reached

Just hours before 121 employees at the Edith Cavell seniors care facility in Lethbridge were set to go on strike on July 2, they struck an interim deal with the employer, Chantelle Management.

The one-year deal expires Nov. 30. It gives nursing staff a 2.7-per-cent wage increase and support staff a 2.3-percent increase. The short term deal is designed to buy the employer time to confirm its provincial funding for 2015 and to see the new NDP government’s approach to seniors care.

Local 048 Chapter 032 Bethany Care Society Didsbury: New certification

Approximately 100 employees at Bethany Care Society’s Didsbury seniors care facility voted in June to

join AUPE, joining more than 1,000 Bethany employees at six other sites around Alberta.

AUPE’s top priority now with this group is negotiating a first collective agreement that is fair and equitable.

Local 040 Chapters 012, 013 Covenant Holy Cross Manor and Villa Marie: Applying for mediation

After five frustrating days of face-toface bargaining with the employer in mid-June, the bargaining committee filed for mediation and is reviewing all legal options.

Employees at the seniors care facilities joined AUPE in late 2014 and early 2015 and have been trying to negotiate a first collective agreement ever since. In 11 days of bargaining since April, the employer has stubbornly refused to move from its position of no wage increases for three years.

Wages at both sites are as low as 25 per cent below industry standard, even though Covenant receives government funding for fair rates.

AUPE staff found Covenant’s approach particularly disappointing because the employer and AUPE have a long history. Historically this employer has made quality of care (including attracting and retaining qualified staff through competitive compensation) one of its top priorities.

Local 071 Chapter 013 Edmonton Catholic Separate School District: Contract ratified

More than 300 custodial, maintenance, trades, warehouse and cafeteria staff at the Edmonton Catholic school district ratified a new four-year contract. The mediated deal is retroactive to 2012.

Employees will receive a two-percent lump sum payment for 2012, a two-per-cent retroactive wage increase for 2013, a 2.25-per-cent retroactive wage increase for 2014 and a further 2.5-per-cent increase to wages on Sept. 1, 2015. Other highlights include improvements to their health benefits, conversion to a new flexible spending account, increases to vehicle allowances and additional paid leave.

Local 042

Good Samaritan Society: Mediation postponed

The bargaining committee and employer were scheduled to begin two days of mediation during the week of June 8, but the employer’s representatives cancelled at the last minute, saying they had no mandate to modify previous proposals.

Mediation was adjourned until late September. It was the committee’s firm belief that the employer was stalling until the new NDP government can table its first budget this fall. While the Local 042 bargaining committee reluctantly agreed to the employer’s request, it is resolute in its determination to achieve a fair, equitable collective agreement that reflects the industry standard and labour market.

Local 049

Capital Care GSS: Mediation begins

The bargaining committee and employer began the process of mediation for two days on May 28 and 29.

While no items were formally signed off during those days, positive discussions ensued on non-monetary items like no-harassment language, vacation planning and new language in the disciplinary articles.

Further mediation sessions were planned for later in the summer.

Local 047/015 & Local 048/020

Copper Sky Lodge and Legacy Lodge: New collective agreement ratified

Approximately 230 employees at Choices in Community Living facilities in Lethbridge and Spruce Grove voted to ratify a new collective agreement on May 25 and 26.

It took four days of negotiations to reach the one-year deal, in which staff will receive a 2.5-per-cent wage increase, effective April 1, 2015. Other improvements include better vacation provisions and special leave days, increased reimbursements of LPNs’ professional fees and an increase to the annual health spending account, from $400 to $500.

DIRECT IMPACT 25

Spotlight on finance from Executive Secretary-Treasurer Jason Heistad

A lot more opportunities are on the horizon and completing our due diligence is more important than ever. end of Direct Impact. I have established a new internal financial statement format for use next year that is consistent with the format set out with the Auditor. As in the past, our internal statements will be accompanied by a financial analysis reviewed by both the Financial Committee and the Provincial Executive.

I will continue to keep you informed throughout AUPE’s new and exciting developments. Remember, if you have any questions or suggestions for this article please email me at j.heistad@aupe.org. < The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees is the largest and most resilient union in the province. AUPE is now more than 87,000 members strong. This is an amazing feat worth recognizing and celebrating.

As AUPE’s membership continues to grow, so too does the union’s budget, which is $48,400,000 for 2016. AUPE’s reserve allocations are now over $93,000,000.

We have also increased services AUPE provides members. The union’s hired more staff, opened a new regional office in Medicine Hat, we’re increasing and strengthening education and we’re searching for a new building to house AUPE headquarters.

A lot more opportunities are on the horizon and completing our due diligence is more important than ever.

The process for these decisions, including the allocation of large financial sums, goes to Convention directly or to the Provincial Executive for debate, 26 DIRECT IMPACT

approval and direction. This process is part of AUPE’s dedication to transparency and accountability.

I invite you to review AUPE’s audited financial statements and proposed budget for 2016, which are located in the Financial Highlights section at the

In Solidarity,

Jason Heistad AUPE Executive Secretary-Treasurer

2016 BUDGET BREAKDOWN

Collective Bargaining & Contract Services, Arbitrations, Research, Communications, Organizing, Health & Safety, and Pensions

58%

Provincial Executive, Committees, Image Campaign, and Contingency

20%

Convention

3%

Finance and Administration

15%

Executive Office

4%

THIRTY

ALBERTA UNION OF PROVINCIAL EMPLOYEES

NINTH ANNUAL

CONVENTION MAKING HISTORY - BUILDING OUR FUTURE

ALBERTA UNION OF PROVINCIAL EMPLOYEES

EXECUTIVE ELECTION CANDIDATE STATEMENTS AUPEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2015 Annual Convention will see the election of a full slate of executive officers to two-year terms.

In this edition of Direct Impact, as in each election year, AUPE publishes platform statements for each candidate for President, Executive Secretary-Treasurer and Vice-Presidents who chooses to submit one.

The statements are for the use of Convention delegates, who will vote for the various Executive Committee positions, and for the information of all members.

Candidates who have made submissions to this section may not be the only candidates for these offices, as nominations may be taken from the floor during Convention, and often are.

DIRECT IMPACT 27

CANDIDATES FOR

PRESIDENT

Todd Ross Local 003 Edmonton

Brothers and Sisters: It is with pride and a need for change, that I proudly put my name forward for President of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees. It is my belief that in order for our Union to move forward, we need to change the leadership in AUPE. I stand for the following: LEADERSHIP: • As President I will be transparent in all dealings of the Union, keeping the members informed of all the issues.

• I have Integrity and I am Trustworthy.

• I will actively grow upcoming leaders at every worksite, with worksite tours, attending meetings and encouragement of front line members.

• No backroom deals or sleight of hand with the Employer, one example as demonstrated in the 2013 Wildcat.

MEMBERSHIP: • Ensure a democratic union with input from all members, not just a select few favoured members.

• More involvement with rank and file members and more training opportunities.

• Work with all members to revive democracy and input in AUPE and on their worksites.

• Provide referendums on major policy decisions. e.g. building purchase, major financial decisions, etc.

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING: • Refocus on the Union’s number one priority: COLLECTIVE BARGAINING • Hold Sector bargaining conferences twice annually and coordinate an Indepth Union wide strategy for all Locals and sectors.

• Ensure a living wage and benefits for all members, so members can work with pride and dignity.

UNION DUES: • AUPE has around $100 million dollars in reserve • I support a 25% decrease in union dues.

• AUPE is financially secure and members should only pay what is 28 DIRECT IMPACT

required to operate, not have 10% of a billion dollars banked.

ELECTIONS OF AUPE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: • ONE MEMBER ONE VOTE – all members should have the right to vote for the Executive Committee.

• Other Unions have this type of election process • Develop the mechanics and ensure changes to the Constitution prior to the 2017 Convention.

• Hire independent Auditing firm to receive ballots and announce results at the 2017 Annual Convention to ensure fairness for all candidates.

• I will not be a “career politician” and make a commitment to mentor all Executive Officers ensuring they develop the skills needed to move into a higher-level position.

EXPERIENCE: • 30 years as active AUPE Member working as a Correctional Officer.

• Union steward assisting members in thousands of files. (staff discipline, suspensions, terminations, OH&S concerns, policies and harassment grievances) • Suspended, Fired then reinstated for standing up for OH&S concerns sparking members to wildcat in 2013.

Brothers and Sisters I believe it’s time for REAL CHANGE. We profess to be a member-run organization, however over the years we have moved away from this. We need to return to a member-run union that works for its members.

I have the energy, passion and dedication and will not try to fill someone else’s shoes, but will create a path for us to set new goals. Please speak to your Convention delegates about REAL CHANGE, I ask you for your support and your delegates vote!

In solidarity Todd Ross www.toddross.com

Guy Smith Local 006 Edmonton

Dear Fellow AUPE Members.

It has been an honour to serve as your President over the past six years. There is no doubt that during that time AUPE has confronted some of its most serious challenges ever during its proud and colourful history.

In particular, since my re-election in 2013, the last two years were make or break for our union. We successfully faced down a Government that was intent on destroying our members’ pension plans, bargaining rights, salaries and benefits, and many of the services our members proudly and professionally provide to Albertans every day.

Through these turbulent times our members stood strong and proud.

During my 28 years of activism in AUPE, including eight years as a Vice-president and six years as President, I’ve never witnessed such a level of member activity and engagement as I have over the past two years.

I believe it takes strong, passionate, experienced and dedicated leadership to inspire members to take action. This is the style of leadership I have committed to bringing to the position of President every single day.

AUPE is one of the largest, most diverse, and most dynamic unions in Canada. We have raised our public profile and credibility to unprecedented levels.

We have proven time and again that we stand up firmly for our members and to protect the services Albertans rely upon.

We are recognized as a respected force of change. We have made history and continue to build for our future.

When I first got elected as your President I committed to build a stronger membership, a stronger organization and a stronger voice: all in all a stronger AUPE. This has been achieved through numerous strategies such as developing accountable internal governance and dedicated team work throughout the organization; ensuring that resources and expertise are in place to assist and support our members; being an unequivocal voice on issues that matter to our members; and by building a reputation for hard work and honesty.

This is how I approach the work I

dedicate myself to as President. This is work that I believe that has helped make AUPE what it is today.

There is no doubt, that despite the changes in the political landscape in Alberta, that many challenges lie ahead.

I believe we are better positioned now than we ever have been to confront those challenges successfully.

The fortitude and beliefs that inspired me to get involved in AUPE at my worksite 28 years ago burn as brightly as ever. With my passion for AUPE, my extensive experience as a leader, and with the continued undeterred commitment to our great union I am seeking re-election as your President at AUPE’s annual Convention in October.

With the continued support of delegates at Convention, and the confidence of our membership throughout Alberta, I look forward to helping lead AUPE into a future we can all be proud of.

A future built on passion, experience, strength and commitment.

AUPE members deserve nothing less.

In Solidarity Guy Smith

CANDIDATES FOR

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY-TREASURER Jason Heistad Local 071

Innisfail/St. Albert

Greetings Sisters and Brothers of AUPE. My name is Jason Heistad. I am your Executive Secretary-Treasurer.

WOW, it is hard to believe that almost two years have come and gone since I was elected. Time flies in a busy job and an ever changing environment. I am seeking Re-Election as Executive Secretary-Treasurer and ask for your Vote.

There are so many things to talk about.

I have picked three goals which I will commit to accomplish the next two years, members.

1. Education: must be paramount and at the front. In order to make well informed decisions, we must have correct, complete and concise knowledge. I realized early that we needed to provide better training and support to our

Treasurers and by extension of that to our component Executives. I expanded the scope of Treasurer Seminar from once every two years to twice a year on as needed basis to include more in the way of Computer Literacy training.

Fostering Team Work and mutual Support is vital to a Successful Executive Team. Treasurer Levels 1, 2, and 3 will be the Competency Designations for Treasurers.

2. Mobilizing is another piece of this puzzle. Who would have thought we could change a long standing entrenched government to alter their decision on Michener Center.

We did that. Also who would have thought our continued efforts would have contributed to the change of a whole government. So whatever it is, directing our resources of the Union or engaging our negotiating skills by identifying and mitigating risks, we continue to see the rewards of our mobilizing efforts. In addition to getting to know the Union, a large part of this is getting to know each other and to learn from each other.

My goal is enabling Strategic Planning strategies for all Locals & Area Councils to better focus on outcomes.

3. A Provincial Pensions Literacy Tour is needed to continue educating our members, both those that are new as well as those in the final stages of preparing for retirement. We need our members to be well informed of their options. Now is not the time to relax, we need to keep the pressure on our employer and continue the fight for the Rights of our Sisters and Brothers.

We must also keep the pressure on our Investment Advisors and search for alternate Investments, taking advantage of the very best opportunities.

Members, There is still much to do.

We need a new Headquarters to house Staff and meet member needs. We need to continue to challenge Legislation that limits our basic need to grow. I will continue to make Finance transparent which will lead to Accountability, Adjustments and proper fiscal management. It is with your support and help that I can continue to meet and exceed you, the members needs.

In conclusion, My name is Jason Heistad, and I am asking for your confidence and VOTE for Executive Secretary Treasurer.

In Solidarity, Jason Heistad www.voteforjason.ca

CANDIDATES FOR

VICE-PRESIDENT Mike Dempsey Local 012

Lac La Biche

Hey there.

My name is Mike Dempsey and I will once again be seeking your vote to become a Vice President of the greatest, largest union in Alberta: AUPE! I will admit to you right now that this feels a bit odd and self serving, writing about what a great fellow I am, what monumental accomplishments I’ve made so that you’ll be suitably impressed and vote for me come Convention 2015 in October!

The truth is, it wouldn’t be quite true.

You see, I haven’t done anything on my own. All the victories, all the successes we have had in the past two years were not ‘my’ doing. Throughout all the troubles and victories of the past 24 months, you were standing behind me, or beside me, and yes, in some cases in front of me, as the situation warranted.

I have had the privilege of walking the picket line with you, of accompanying you to see your MLA, of helping you run your Local and Chapter elections, of flipping burgers for you, of just chatting with you about a particular frustration you just want a bit of guidance on.

As Chair of the Committee on Political Action, I was proud to help assist you in campaigning for labour friendly candidates, or help you write that letter to that MLA to let them know how upset you were! Your keen interest in Alberta politics became evident to me at the 2014 Convention when nary a soul left the 2-hour all party leaders debate early!

As a trustee on the Public Service Pension Board, when it became evident that we needed your assistance to defeat regressive pension legislation, you came forward, in the tens, the hundreds, and the thousands to let the PC government know that you would not stand for this! I was never so proud as when over a thousand of us stood shoulder to shoulder at -30 C in the winter of 2014 in downtown Edmonton to loudly let the PC’s know that you had had enough!

DIRECT IMPACT 29

I want to run again because I desire to get to know more of you, and to assist you in whatever way I can. This first term has seen me as the Vice President representing Edmonton and, more recently, the North Central area.

Fortunately, we are not always limited by these boundaries, and I always look forward to the times when I can ‘escape’ my area and check out the rest of the province!

These past two years have been a period of personal growth for me, as I’ve continued to be impressed at what 86,000 members are capable of. Along with you and our great Executive, I want to push to get better working conditions and salaries for ALL our hard working, dues paying members!

On October 23rd, I would ask that you please vote for me to continue to be your VP! May the Forest Be With You! Mike Dempsey

Ali Haymour Local 003 Edmonton

Brothers and Sisters, My name is Ali Haymour and I am running for the position of Vice President. I have been a proud member of the AUPE for over twelve years and I am an active shop steward in Local 003 Chapter 004. In addition, I have also served on executive positions such as Chapter secretary and Chapter chair. In 1992, I was a member of UFCW Local 401 in which I served as a shop steward and sat on the bargaining committee in negotiations with the employer. I have a Bachelor of Arts Degree, with a Major in History and a Minor in Sociology. I have served with the Canadian Military for five years and I currently work for the Alberta Sheriffs with the Solicitor General’s office.

Brothers and Sisters, it would be an honour and pleasure to serve you and I would ask for your support and vote for Vice President.

Brothers and Sisters, we are by far the biggest union in Alberta representing over 80,000 members, we have an abundant amount of resources, which are not being used effectively. We have members who have the will to stand in solidarity to protect and fight for better wages and benefits. The only thing we are lacking is 30 DIRECT IMPACT

direction and that is why I have decided to run in the upcoming election.

I believe the current executive has shown weakness during the past two contract negotiations in which the government would offer little and the union executive would urge the members to accept it. A good example of this is with the municipal civil servants in which they negotiated thirteen percent wage increase as opposed to our six percent.

If elected, I would work on reducing union dues, stop unnecessary spending and commit to fiscal responsibility.

Furthermore, I would be firm in negotiations, bargaining better wages, benefits and revising the language within what I believe is an outdated the collective agreement. Years of service doesn’t seem to mean anything anymore when a new employee is hired and is able to supersede into a position over someone who has more years of service and experience. The clause, “Managers Have the Right to Manage” is being used to favour certain people. A system should be in place that is more fair and transparent. Moreover, as we see rises in food costs, utilities, and inflation; we need to agree to fair wages and an amount that is in par with inflation.

In addition I would advocate a change to the electoral system in ways which it would be open to all members to vote and have a say in who will represent them. I will work hard on restoring faith back into our members by always telling the truth, sharing the facts and honestly representing you to defend your interests. I will constantly seek your input and direction and I will try to be visible among you and remain accessible to all.

In solidarity, Ali Haymour

Erez Raz Local 003 Edmonton

Greetings Sisters and Brothers, My name is Erez Raz and I am a proud member of Local 003 Chapter 008 working as a Correctional Peace Officer 2 at the Edmonton Remand Center and one of your Vice Presidents. I am coming to you this year, asking for your support in reelection so that I may continue being one of YOUR Vice Presidents for another term.

I have been very fortunate to work with

the members and staff of the Calgary area as assigned by our President and I have enjoyed it immensely. I look forward to continuing the relationships I’ve built with the members and staff in those areas as well as the new ones to be built.

I’ve had the honor and privilege to chair the Occupational Health and Safety standing committee and the Pay and Social Equity standing committee.

Both of these committees have done a tremendous amount of work over the past two years for you the membership.

I’d like to personally thank the members who served on these committees.

My mission if re-elected for another term is to make sure that we as an executive get out and engage, mobilize and educate everyone in every worksite that we have members in. I think it’s very important to connect with each and every individual that pays union dues and I’m up for the challenge.

I am a firm believer in mobilizing our members within their communities and worksites for a stronger voice for our Union and for the future of our families and vibrant communities. Knowledge is power and therefore, as I meet members I encourage them to enroll in the education provided by AUPE so that they can increase their own level of comfort when dealing with the Employer. My philosophy is that AUPE can assist in each member bettering him or herself in whatever path it is that they may choose to take their careers on. I may have not walked a mile in your shoes, but I have gained knowledge by talking to you and I understand you, your concerns and your issues.

We belong to the 12th largest union in Canada and the largest union in Alberta.

I’m very passionate about this great union that we all belong to and the work we do everyday within it. I’m a very passionate, committed and honest person and have committed my all to this Union and to you the members.

In the next term, if elected, it is my promise to you that I will continue to put in the time, effort and dedication deserving of you all in the same manner as I have in the past. In closing, I am asking for your support at this years upcoming Convention to be re-elected as one of YOUR Vice Presidents to move forward with strength and solidarity to support the more then 87,000 AUPE members.

Respectfully submitted, In solidarity, Erez Raz

Carrie-Lynn Rusznak Local 001 Calgary

Sisters, brothers, fellow Trade Union activists and friends, My name is Carrie-Lynn Rusznak and am a member of Local 001, Chapter 021 and I work as a Legal Assistant in the Calgary General Prosecutions office and I am seeking your support for re-election so that I may continue the honour of being one of your Vice Presidents.

I think it is only right to say ‘CONGRATULATIONS’ to all Albertans for an exciting change in our Provincial Government. Since being re-elected in 2013, I have been a part of the leadership team that has dealt with some of the most challenging times experienced in the labour movement and to see how far we have come has made every minute of it nothing but energizing and inspiring.

During the past two years, I have been Chair of the AUPE Human Rights Standing Committee and took on the Chair of the Young Activist Committee in November of last year. I want to thank the members of these committees for a wonderful time and encourage anyone looking to be on a committee to apply as they are a great way to be a part of what AUPE does for its members.

As Alberta’s largest and strongest trade union we have been through a lot over the last two years and I would love the opportunity to work with and for all of you, the members as one of your Vice Presidents as we continue on the road that we have paved so far.

I believe that through engaging and mobilizing our members, we will only build on the strength and solidarity that we are already known for and I believe that together, we can continue this momentum. My passion, love and commitment to this union and the members have shown as I am always available to the members and I will commit to you all to continue to be that if re-elected. Being a voice for all frontline workers as well as within the labour movement is nothing short of amazing and I look forward to the next couple of years, should you re-elect me.

An area that I personally like to highlight, is in social media by ‘exposing’ bad decisions and Government

mismanagement of our tax dollars. I am always looking to research my facts and shout it out from the rooftops if I think there has been an injustice done to AUPE members as well as Alberta’s most vulnerable. As a leader, I think it is important to ensure that salaries, expenses, decisions made on programs and over all spending by the Government are being shared and the best defence we have is through social media.

Albertans and all frontline workers need us to continue what we’ve started so let’s continue to lead Alberta’s labour movement on the continuous road to success in which we have started together and ensure that we build this province to be an even better place to call home!

Yours in Solidarity, Carrie-Lynn Rusznak Vice President

Glen Scott Local 045 Calgary

Greetings Sisters and Brothers, My name is Glen Scott I hail from Local 045 ANC. I am a proud Licensed Practical Nurse and I am a Very Proud AUPE member.

I have been one of your Vice Presidents for the last three terms and I am extremely humbled in the opportunity you have given me as members to be part of the executive of this union. I hope you have taken some time this summer to think about you and our union over the summer - where we have been, some of the fights and struggles we have experienced and the victories we have won.

I know I have and when I think about these things I realize the amount of things we have accomplished as AUPE members over the last several years and I want to thank you for your support and hard work and for making my job easier and making these accomplishments possible.

The opportunity you have allowed me as myself have not forgot a leader nor has the experienced and personal growth opportunity been forgotten. I will let my name stand at this year’s convention and ask for your support in allowing me to be part of something very special for the next two years. We have been through

a more challenges in the last few years than most Unions or executives and we cant give credit to any individual in our many victories but I am extremely proud of what I have had the opportunity to be part of and the contributions I have made in contributing to all our successes.

Being on the AUPE executive involves teamwork within the executive, the staff and membership I will with your support continue to build and maintain the relationships that foster further successes in the challenges we will face in the next two years.

I think we have the opportunity during the next 24 months and a kinder political environment to create some impact that will leave a legacy for our members who are just starting their careers and ensure security and dignity for our members at the other end of the spectrum.

We also have the potential through innovation to take our Union to the next level in terms of structure, a new Headquarters and all the internal things an organization can do when its not under a constant prolonged attack, and I ask for your support in being part of this process. I am excited and optimistic about the next two years for AUPE. I have met hundreds of Members whether I was in the far south or the far north and I have always been inspired by their passion and enthusiasm towards AUPE its this enthusiasm that motivates me every day and makes us so successful in all we do.

I would like to continue to do the work I have on your behalf for the next two years so please give me the mandate to do so at this year’s convention and continue to support me.

In Solidarity, Glen Scott

Susan Slade Local 045

Calgary/Claresholm

Greetings Brothers and Sisters, My name is Susan Slade. I wish to announce my bid for re-election for the role of VicePresident at the 2015 AUPE Convention.

I am a proud member of Local 045 Chapter 010. I am a Licensed Practical Nurse and currently live in Calgary. I have been an activist since joining AUPE in 1999 with the Canadian Health Care Guild merger holding positions at all levels from DIRECT IMPACT 31

worksite contact, chapter chair, provincial executive, local chair and currently AUPE Vice-President. I am a level 3 steward and have attended many education courses offered by AUPE. When elected during the 2012 byelection I ran on a platform of a strong voice, strong conviction of right and wrong and the ability to mobilize. Over the past three years I have proven time and again that I have the experience and knowledge to successfully lead, mobilize and stand up for the rights of all members of AUPE whether it be speaking to MLA’s about the pension cuts, educating the public on the former government’s unsuccessful bid to try and pass unconstitutional laws or the need for safe work environments for all AUPE members. I have attended countless meetings, picket lines, rallies, barbeques, and social events and am always willing to listen, share and speak on the issues affecting the membership. As I stand beside members during their struggles and victories, I am grateful for the opportunity to grow and learn as a VicePresident and be part of an organization that is built on solidarity, mobilization and equality. AUPE has quickly become a household name due to all the members that have been willing to stand up and fight for what is right and looking out for not only their AUPE brothers and sisters but for every person that lives in Alberta.

As a leader in this union I will continue to be the strong voice for all, an avid listener to the concerns of the membership as well as acting on those concerns in a timely manner. I will continue to work with others on the executive to maintain the cohesive team that has been built. I have supported and continue to support all members of AUPE and I believe in doing whatever it takes to ensure the members have fair contracts, safe work environments and to learn everyday about all sectors of AUPE. I believe in this union and will stand proudly with all members as we continue to Make History While Building Our Future.

In closing I want to graciously thank the membership for putting their trust and faith in me these last 3 years and the AUPE executive team for allowing me to learn and grow as a leader, but most importantly my family who supports and encourages me 100%.

I am asking for your support in my bid for re-election and look forward to speaking with, sharing opinions and stories with each of this year’s convention delegates. Please feel free to contact me at anytime with any questions @ 403554-4198 or s.slade@aupe.org 32 DIRECT IMPACT

Karen Weiers Local 095 Airdrie

Dear Sisters and Brothers: My name is Karen Weiers from Local 095, General Support Services – Healthcare, and I again seek your support to represent you as Vice-President.

Among the many positions I have held within Chapter, Local, Area Council and as well as Chair of the AUPE AntiPrivatization Standing Committee, I have had the honor to serve as your Vice President for two terms - promoting strength, solidarity and unity.

AUPE has successfully faced many serious challenges over the past 2 years.

Together members have stood up and fought back like never before, protecting our fundamental rights. Our strength as a Union will continue to come from activism and hard work, and I will continue to strive to lead by example, standing proudly with members in support of our union in meetings, strike and picket lines, rallies, events, and in MLA offices. With my proven track record of dedicated activism - my commitment to you will always be to serve the membership.

Serving you as Vice-President has been an incredible, enlightening and challenging experience. Your dedication and conviction continues to fill me with pride at being one of your representatives. Recently we saw a change that made Alberta history and we now have a government that promises to listen to frontline workers, but regardless of who is in government, we cannot stop doing what we do. We must continue to promote our work and the services we provide, by continuing to stand up and speak out to protect them.

With your support I promise to: • Continue to work for you, with an emphasis on site mobilization and activism within.

• Continue to build a union culture based on knowledge and communication enabling us to build our strengths and empower us to defend our rights • Continue to focus on the rights of members in the work that we do and the services that we provide to Albertans on a daily basis.

• Continue to make our rights and quality of life within our union a top priority

Our 2015 Convention theme is “Making History, Building Our Future”. Beyond a doubt we as a Union, have indeed made history and will continue to influence the direction of Alberta. AUPE has led the fight to protect pensions, facilities, jobs, freedom of speech and fundamental rights. We will have challenges as we continue to build our future, but we will succeed if we stand united and work together. Our strength comes from building solidarity from within our Union – uniting Locals and Chapters and highlighting issues across all sectors.

Together, we will continue to make a difference; over 87,000 united voices cannot be silenced!

Sisters and Brothers, I have demonstrated my strong work ethic and I will commit again to continue the fight and work with you to enhance the future direction of our great Union. My promise to each of you is to bring my experience and commitment to serving you to the best of my ability as a Vice President.

In Solidarity – always!

Karen Weiers

ALBERTA UNION OF PROVINCIAL EMPLOYEES

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 2014-2015

Albertaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest union continues to grow, with our membership surpassing the 87,000 mark in 2015.

Our increasing membership has given our union financial strength and stability, both in labour relations with employers and in our investments on behalf of our members.

That strength in 2014-15 has allowed AUPE to increase several specific funds, notably the defence fund and time-off fund. It has also allowed us to invest more resources into targeted campaigns, such as Anti-Privatization and Defending Our Services.

We have also been able to modestly increase our Benevolent Fund, which assists members, retired members and their families who suddenly find themselves in urgent need.

Likewise, the Education Fund, which provides financial assistance for members, retired members, their spouses and children under the age of 25 attend post-secondary institutions, saw a modest increase.

Through prudent investment strategies and careful stewardship of its resources, AUPE has maintained a position of financial strength, equipping the union to continue advocating for its members and the services they provide.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 1

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Guy Smith

One of the major reasons that AUPE has been so successful in mobilizing our membership to stand up and fight for pension security, bargaining rights, freedom of speech, health and safety rights, and to overcome threats of privatization, roll-backs and lay-offs is that we have the financial strength to ensure that the resources are in place to win these major struggles.

Despite having the lowest dues of any major public sector union across Canada, AUPE directs it’s resources to the areas that will have the most positive impact: supporting our members on the front lines and creating real and meaningful change in Alberta.

The prudent, transparent, and responsible management of AUPE’s finances is essential to our increasing strength and ability to anticipate and respond vigorously to any challenges that may affect our members and the services our members provide. We must always be prepared to build for the future and any uncertainty and opportunities it will bring.

For example, significant amendments to Alberta’s labour legislation, which is required to be brought into existence by April, 2016, will likely result in a significant increase in the number of members having the legal right to strike. While this is something that AUPE has been striving to achieve for many years it will result in potentially huge impact on our defense funds. A major strike in our largest bargaining units, such as Government of Alberta or Alberta Health Services, will require unprecedented financial resources to support. We must be prepared for that by maintaining fiscal strength and accountability.

Part of that accountability, and transparency, is providing you, the members, with the attached full financial statements for your information. We hope you take the time to review them and learn more about AUPE’s financial wellbeing and how your dues dollar is put to work building and maintaining a strong and financially healthy future for AUPE, so that the support and resources are there for you when you need them. < In Solidarity

Guy Smith President

2 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY-TREASURER Jason Heistad

Please find attached AUPE’s 2015 audited financial statements and the proposed budget for 2016.

These two reports are integral in providing a framework for transparency and ensuring accountability.

AUPE is now more than 87,000 members strong who stand proudly together in a number of sectors and a variety of capacities from locals, chapters and area councils all over Alberta. This transparency framework is key.

With this in mind, I engaged the auditors in a process to streamline our financial statements and make them more user-friendly. I was already in the process of restructuring our internal financial statements and needed to ensure the audited statements mirrored our own. By simplifying and attuning the structures and wording, members will be in a better position to compare the audit to internal statements and familiarize themselves with the financial analysis and ad hoc reports I provide. These, accompanied with value-added presentations both written and presented in person, provide a complete view of our financial tapestry.

During difficult times it’s easy to look back and say, “We should have planned for that.” By planning during good times and focusing efforts on transparency and accountability, as well as establishing specific, necessary and adequate reserves, we stand to gain from our collective experience and aggregate wisdom. Future planning gives us direction for tomorrow, while clear, concise and understandable financial analysis keeps our paths clear today. I look forward to your questions (j.heistad@aupe.org) and will be selecting some for future “Spotlight on Finance” articles found at the back of Direct Impact.

With these statements I also urge your engagement. Speak to your Local Executive or Provincial Executive Representative. Talk to one of our Vice-Presidents or your President Guy Smith, who is always happy to hear from members. Feel free to call me or catch one of us at an event near you.

As engagement increases so does the effectiveness of our reporting, and by extension, our strategic planning and accountability. Let’s continue to plan for the future together. < In Solidarity,

Jason Heistad Executive Secretary-Treasurer

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 3

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

AUPE Leadership

How AUPE is run

THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AUPE is led by an elected Executive Committee made up of the President, the Executive Secretary-Treasurer and six Vice-Presidents. The President and Executive Secretary-Treasurer serve as full-time officers of the union. VicePresidents receive time off with pay from their regular jobs as required.

The President is AUPE’s Chief Executive Officer. Besides supervising the affairs of the union and acting as chief spokesperson, the President assigns duties and responsibilities to the other members of the Executive Committee.

The Executive Secretary-Treasurer is the Chief Financial Officer of the union, responsible for financial affairs and accounting records. The Executive Secretary-Treasurer must ensure that all expenditures conform to the budget passed at the Annual Convention.

All members of the Executive Committee are elected to two-year terms at Convention in odd numbered years. If a position is left vacant, a by-election may be held at Convention during an even-numbered year or by vote at a Provincial Executive meeting in the case of a Vice President.

PRESIDENT

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY-TREASURER

Guy Smith

Jason Heistad

LOCALS & CHAPTERS AUPE members are organized into locals and chapters to aid in bargaining and contract administration. Locals are the administrative components of AUPE. Members of some of AUPE’s 33 locals work at one location in a variety of jobs.

Other locals encompass a large number of people who share a community of interest across Alberta. Others represent larger groups of members at different worksites, sometimes with more than one collective agreement. Large and geographically spread-out locals are often divided into chapters to make administration and involvement in union activities easier.

Locals and chapters have democratically elected executives.

AREA COUNCILS AUPE’s Area Councils are set up geographically to serve the social needs of members, regardless of their local or chapter. They are financed by union headquarters to organize such social events as barbecues, seasonal parties and activities promoting union involvement.

VICE-PRESIDENTS

Mike Dempsey

Erez Raz

Carrie-Lynn Rusznak

Glen Scott

Susan Slade

Karen Weiers

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CONVENTION AUPE’s governing body is the union’s Annual Convention, which takes place each year in October.

Each AUPE Local is entitled to send one delegate for every 100 members. At Convention, which is traditionally held in Edmonton, AUPE’s constitutional amendments are instituted, policies are established, and operating procedures are determined. In addition, every oddnumbered year, the union’s eight-member Executive Committee is elected.

AUPE OFFICES AUPE has offices throughout Alberta to serve members. In addition to the union’s headquarters in Edmonton, regional offices are located in Peace River, Grande Prairie, Athabasca, Camrose, Red Deer, Calgary, Medicine Hat and Lethbridge. There is also a satellite office in downtown Edmonton.

Each regional office has permanent staff to look after members’ interests and each office provides space for meetings and training courses.

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Social Workers: Advocating for Albertans Across Alberta, Registered Social Workers can be found helping others.

Often, you will find us advocating for those who are not able to speak for themselves.

As social workers, we are on the front lines, urging government to repair major cracks in our social infrastructure and to adopt social polices that look after the needs of vulnerable Albertans.

Alberta’s income disparity gap is a good example. A growing gap between the haves and have nots has resulted in more homelessness, more working poor, an affordable housing crisis and many other social problems.

Access to resources to meet basic human needs is every person’s right. Alberta’s 6000 Registered Social Workers are advocates for fairness and social justice.

Advocacy is a fundamental aspect of our professional ethics and at the heart of what we do.

Registered Social Workers (RSW): The professional standard in social work

R U O B A L A T R E B L A E H T E T U T I T S N I Y R O T S I H OUR PAST TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE OM

LEARNING FR OM

We would like to thank AUPE for its support of our June 2014 Labour History Conference – Uniting in the Struggle – particularly all those AUPE activists and leaders whose participation made the conference such a remarkable success.

The Alberta college of Social Workers regulates social work practice in Alberta. Its primary focus is to serve and protect the public interest by promoting skilled and ethical social work. www.acsw.ab.ca

Support Social Justice Education in Our Schools The Aspen Foundation brings community values of social justice and a respect for fairness and equality to the classroom. The Foundation for Labour Education works to educate youth to allow them to work, live, and participate fully in a democratic society.

AFLE encourages the use of materials, resources, and speakers in our schools that reflect the best traditions in community values and democratic principles of our society.

How can I contribute?

Please mail your charitable donation to: Aspen Foundation for Labour Education 11 Bonin Place, Leduc AB T9E 6H6 Charitable donations can be made online: www.canadahelps.org “Supporting Labour and Social Justice Education in our Schools”

For more information: Phone: 780-986-1745 Email: afle@telus.net Website: www.afle.ca The Aspen Foundation for Labour Education is now a recognized charity by Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (BN 881720510RR0001). You can support labour and social justice education in our schools with your charitable donation.

PUSH IT. PUSH IT REAL GOOD!

The AUPE mobile app, now with push notifications.

Download it now.

www.aupe.org Publications Mail Agreement: 40065207 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO ALBERTA UNION OF PROVINCIAL EMPLOYEES, 10451 170 St. NW, Edmonton, AB T5P 4S7