WINTER 2016
IN WORKING ORDER After years of financial uncertainty, has an era of stability finally come to Alberta’s educational institutions?
Published by the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees
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WINTER 2016 CONTENTS
COVER
Frank Snow, an electrician with the University of Calgary, spends every day making sure the university’s infrastructure stays in working order.
AUPE EXECUTIVE
Learn more about our Education Sector members on page 12.
President Guy Smith
Exec. Sec.-Treasurer Jason Heistad
Respect Vice-President Mike Dempsey
Premier Notley addressed Convention in October, and she had a lot to say about respect and working together.
8
Vice-President Erez Raz
Vice-President Carrie-Lynn Rusznak
Vice-President Glen Scott
Vice-President Susan Slade
The backbone of education Post-secondary support staff have been through a lot of upheaval over the last few years, but that doesn’t stop them from doing their jobs the best they can. Is stability on the horizon?
Vice-President Karen Weiers
12 Executive Director Carl Soderstrom Editor Andrew Hanon 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.
Q & A with Lori Sigurdson Alberta’s new Labour Minister (and former Local 006 member) sits down with DI to answer some tough questions.
15
BY THE NUMBERS
PROVINCIAL
BUDGET
6
From the President 4 Focus on AUPE 5 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
15266
DIRECT IMPACT 3
From the President We must remain vigilant and ready to stand up, as we have before, to protect front-line services and to ensure the interests of our members are protected.
As we move into the darker days of an Alberta winter it is reassuring to know that all of AUPE’s hard work and fortitude are paving the way for a brighter future. Recently, at AUPE’s Annual Convention, we prepared for this future by setting the course over the next year to not only prepare for some significant changes ahead, but to actually shape those changes. We have proven in the past that, as an organization, AUPE can influence positive change and have a real impact in our province for the good and well being of our members who work hard on the front lines, and for Albertans who rely on the work members do. Convention also determined who would lead AUPE into the future and I am humbled and honoured to have been reelected as your President and given a strong mandate to continue to work for you and on your behalf. Please be assured that the passion, commitment and experience that I bring into this role are virtues embraced 4 DIRECT IMPACT
by the entire Executive team that were also re-elected at Convention. There are still many challenges that lay ahead, such as difficult rounds of negotiations with various employers, lack of support and staffing on the front lines, ongoing issues around privatization and contracting out, and the need for constant vigilance related to health and safety. However, many positive changes are occurring that will help shape the future as we continue to grow in strength as a union and maintain a focus on mobilizing, educating and engaging our members. Meanwhile, the new government has signaled through its recent budget that it respects and supports the work our members do on the front lines and that, despite some serious financial challenges, it will continue to build a respectful and productive working relationship with AUPE. Still, we must remain vigilant and ready to stand up, as we have before, to protect front-line services and to ensure the
interests of our members are protected. To this end, we have been engaging the government on a number of key issues of importance to our members. Significantly, as the government moves forward in amending labour legislation to enshrine the right to strike into law, along with essential services provisions, we have been at the table providing high-level input as to what these changes should look like. This is new territory for all of us – unions, employers and government alike – as we discuss expanding collective bargaining rights that for decades have been severely limited by the will of previous governments. As challenging as it may be, it is also a once-in-a-generation opportunity to finally gain the rights that have been denied to us for so long. As we move forward we intend to resolve many other issues left outstanding from the previous government. Now that we are seeing real and concrete progress it is incumbent upon AUPE to continue to ensure it is working as hard as ever for our members and the services they proudly provide to Albertans. In Solidarity,
Guy Smith AUPE President
FOCUS ON AUPE CONVENTION 2015
AUPE’s 39th Annual Convention took place in Edmonton on Oct. 22-24. It was three days of debate, discussion, and questions about the direction of the union for the next year. It was also a time to honour our activists (top, Rolyn Sumlak Award winners) and honour our heritage (bottom, Cheryle Chagnon-Greyeyes and Chantal Stormsong Chagnon bring traditional songs to delegates as Convention acknowledges the traditional lands of Treaty Six First Nations). Convention was also addressed by Premier Rachel Notley. For more, see the story on page 8.
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BY THE NUMBERS
PROVINCIAL
BUDGET
In October, the NDP government introduced its long-anticipated first budget. It signals a massive shift in the way Alberta approaches public finances. Despite a huge drop in oil and gas revenues, the Notley government has promised to protect services, honour collective agreements with public-service workers and continue to invest in infrastructure to keep Albertans working during the economic slowdown. At the same time, the government is reviewing its revenue system and hoping to diversify the economy so that, once and for all, the province can get off the resource roller coaster. Here’s a look at the first steps in the NDP government’s plan.
Total provincial budget 2014-15
2015-16
Despite a significant drop in resource revenue in the past year, the new NDP government has actually increased overall spending in the new budget. This means the government will have to borrow billions to make up the difference. But, they argue, slashing government spending will do more harm to Alberta’s economy.
$48.4 billion $49.9 billion 2006-07
$12.3 b
2008-09 2011-12
$11.9 b
$11.68 b
$11 b 2007-08
The resource revenue problem It seems everybody agrees: the provincial government should not rely so heavily on oil and gas income to cover day-to-day costs. Every time the price of the resource drops, the government is pitched into a financial crisis. Albertans have been on this roller coaster for decades.
2010-11
$8.4 b
$6.8 b 2009-10
The big four $19.3 b
2014-15
$19.7 b
Health, education and human services are where most government money is spent. They also provide the services that the most individuals rely on. Each will see modest increases in their budgets.
$7.56 b
$7.58 b $5.12 b
Health 6 DIRECT IMPACT
+ 2%
2015-16
Education (K-12)
+ 0.1%
$5.4 b
Advanced Education + 5.5%
$4.1 b
Human Services
$4.3 b
+ 4.6%
Health care investments The government will spend $917 million on construction and renovation projects in the health-care system this year, a 38 per cent increase over the 2014-15 budget. It’s part of a five-year capital plan that will see $3.2 billion invested in health facilities across the province. Here are some of the highlights. High Prairie Regional Health Complex New facility $98 million in 2015-16 Total budget: $159.9 million Completion date: 2016-17 Grande Prairie Regional Hospital New hospital and cancer centre $60 million in 2015-16 Total budget: $647 million Completion date: 2019-20
Kaye Edmonton Clinic Northern Alberta urology clinic $21 million 2015-16 Total budget: $47 million Completion date: 2016-17
Edson Health Care Centre New facility $73 million in 2015-16 Total budget: $186.4 million Completion date: 2017-18
Calgary Cancer Centre New facility at Foothills Medical Centre $5 million for planning in 2015-16 Total budget: $830 million Completion date: 2020 Medicine Hat Regional Hospital New building to replace Dr. Dan MacCharles Auxiliary wing $24 million in 2015-16 Total budget: $128 million Completion date: 2016-17
2013-14
$9.6 b 2014-15
$8.9 b
$7.7 b
Lethbridge Chinook Regional Hospital 19,000 sq. m. addition $24 million in 2015-16 Total budget: $128 million Completion date: 2016-17
2012-13 The Wildrose Opposition is calling on the government to examine re-opening public-sector contracts and consider freezing wages for the next few years. So far, the government has refused.
2017-18
$4.4 b* Wildrose Finance Critic
Derek Fildebrandt
“Are you willing to ask the unions to voluntarily renegotiate their contracts?”
vs.
NDP Finance Minister
Joe Ceci
“We’re going to stay true to contracts because that’s what Albertans expect from us and that’s what we’re going to do.”
$2.8 b*
$3.4 b*
2015-16
2016-17 * estimated revenue
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8 DIRECT IMPACT
“You have the respect of this government.” ~ Premier Notley, during her address to AUPE’s 39th annual convention
Just let that sink in a moment…RESPECT! The energy in the hall, already substantial from more than a day of resolution debate and an executive election, was palpable as word spread the new premier of Alberta, Rachel Notley, was in the room and set to address the more than 1,100 delegates, observers, life members, guests and media gathered at the Shaw Conference Centre in downtown Edmonton for AUPE’s 39th annual convention.
By Tyler Bedford Communications Staff
DIRECT IMPACT 9
“Two of our last four conventions have been addressed by the premier of Alberta,” said AUPE president Guy Smith. “Our 2014 convention had all three opposition party leaders address the floor as well. “It’s important AUPE members hear from politicians and that politicians hear from AUPE members. “Our union has grown significantly, especially in the last five years. AUPE and its membership carry a great amount of political strength in our province and that strength can’t be ignored or taken for granted by legislators,” said Smith. “So it’s always a pleasure to have provincial representatives visit us.” In addition to the premier, more than a dozen government MLAs and a handful of opposition MLAs were in attendance throughout convention in October. As 3 p.m. arrived, Premier Notley hustled to the podium accompanied by a standing ovation from delegates. She proudly told the crowd that in addition to being incredibly honoured to address the union’s convention, she observed that all in attendance were on the traditional territory of the Treaty Six First Nations’ people. Notley then introduced two NDP MLAs who came from AUPE, Heather Sweet and 10 DIRECT IMPACT
Nicole Goehring, who were in attendance, and two more, Erin Babcock and Kim Schreiner, who were unable to attend. “This is the first time in our union’s history that four government MLAs have come directly out of AUPE’s membership and we’re incredibly proud of that,” said Smith.
We’ve heard it. We believe Notley when she says AUPE members have the respect of her government. Now let’s see it. AUPE VP Susan Slade
“We have truly made history and now we have, together, the chance to build the future,” Notley said with excitement. She told the crowd that the NDP government had already frozen tuition fees to help families put kids through the colleges, universities and technical institutes that AUPE members keep
running, and had restored health-care funding, saving 1,500 front-line positions that are absolutely vital to ensuring Albertans get the services they need. AUPE Vice-President Susan Slade said those actions have been a welcome change from the seemingly relentless cuts and threats made by former administrations toward front lines. “Being the government’s scapegoat had become commonplace for many members,” said Slade. “For years frontline services were attacked, devalued and slashed in a flurry of theatrics aimed to make political gains on the backs of AUPE members. But we always fought back and fought back well. “Notley seems to understand the value of a healthy public sector and that’s refreshing,” said Slade. The premier stated that it has been the NDP that defends workers’ rights to join a union and that it’s her government that believes workers not only have a right to a safe workplace, but that employers have an obligation to provide that safe workplace. Both comments received thunderous applause from the floor. President Smith said those were welcome remarks to many in the crowd.
Former AUPE members Nicole Goehring (top) and Heather Sweet (bottom) joined Premier Notley at Convention
We recognize the need for and want a respectful, productive relationship with the government. Premier Notley appears to understand the significance of having a strong working relationship with AUPE as well. AUPE President Guy Smith
“We’re constantly working with employers to improve workplace health and safety. To have a government acknowledge the employer’s duty to provide a safe workplace is promising.” The premier continued, saying that it’s now time to take the next steps to make Alberta a better, fairer place for the individuals and families we all serve. Notley said, “[Those steps] are about rebuilding a strong working relationship between the government, AUPE and all the public sector unions that represent
front-line employees.” “AUPE’s relationship with the government was completely devastated under the leadership of Alison Redford in 2013. The anti-union bills 45 and 46, the attempted closure of Michener Centre and the PCs attack on hard-earned pensions, to name a few examples, shattered the trust we had with the province,” said Smith. “We recognize the need for and want a respectful, productive relationship with the government. Premier Notley appears to understand the significance of having
a strong working relationship with AUPE as well.” Referring to the current economic climate in Alberta, Notley said it’s “stable public services [that] support Alberta families, they support our communities and they prevent a difficult economic picture from becoming worse.” But she said lower government income at a time when demand for services is high will involve cooperation. “Stabilizing public services will require a partnership. I will be counting on all [AUPE members] to help our government deliver services to Albertans who need them. Because that’s important.” Notley added that both AUPE and the government share a common commitment to stable, predictable funding for health care and education. She closed by telling the crowd, “You have the respect of this government.” Vice-President Slade said that the premier’s message to convention was refreshing and is something members needed to hear: that they are valued, that the services they provide Albertans are valued and that the new government truly does want to form a productive, respectful partnership. “Our union understands the need for partnership and a civil relationship with the province,” said Slade. “We’re getting closer to both every day. And while we are encouraged by the words Premier Notley spoke, we’ve been told nice words by a premier before. We expect those words to turn into action. “For example, right now we have close to 40,000 AUPE members working in health care without a collective agreement. There is a severe backlog in health-care negotiations as a result of an ongoing stalemate with Alberta Health Services and it’s affecting quality care and morale on the front lines. The province needs to be the partner it says it is and direct AHS to bring a mandate back to the bargaining table. “We’ve heard it. We believe Notley when she says AUPE members have the respect of her government. Now let’s see it,” said Slade. < DIRECT IMPACT 11
THE BACKBONE OF EDUCATION Through years of financial turmoil and uncertainty, AUPE members continued to keep Albertaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s educational institutions running. Have they finally reached an era of stability?
By Andrew Hanon Communications Staff 12 DIRECT IMPACT
Over the past two decades, Mark Toonen’s name has appeared in the acknowledgements of dozens – possibly hundreds – of research papers at the University of Calgary. “It’s a little bit of recognition,” Toonen said from his workspace in the basement of the U of C’s science building. “That’s great to receive.” Toonen, a member of AUPE Local 052, has played a critical role in research in the fields of chemistry, medicine and even petrochemical engineering. In fact, without his special set of skills, a lot of research couldn’t be conducted at the university. Toonen is the only staff scientific glass instrument maker at the school, and one of only a handful in all of western Canada. He works with students, researchers and faculty to make custom, precise glassware for them. “Often they need equipment that simply isn’t available,” Toonen explained, “or there is something that doesn’t fit their requirements; they need to position a valve this way or put one over here. I can make something specifically for them.” Sometimes the researchers aren’t even sure what they want. They just know they need something unique to perform a certain task. Toonen will work with them to figure out exactly what their needs are and make the item to fit. “I get a lot of input,” he said. Toonen can also repair glass lab equipment, which has saved the university huge sums over the years. With a chuckle, Toonen said, “There can be a lot of breakage in the labs, especially with the first-years. I look at the damage and determine the cost of repairing versus replacement. Often I can fix it for a few hundred dollars, while the replacement cost can run into the thousands.”
Mark Toonen, creating a custom glass instrument for the University of Calgary. Photo: Kevin Barry
Backbone of education Toonen is one of nearly 9,500 AUPE members in 19 separate bargaining units in the education sector. AUPE represents support staff at 16 public post-secondary institutions and three school districts. Like Toonen, AUPE members all around the province work diligently
Really, our members are the backbone of their institutions. Without them, the entire system would grind to a halt. AUPE VP Erez Raz
and quietly in the background, ensuring students, faculty and researchers have what they need to achieve their goals. “Really, our members are the backbone
of their institutions,” said AUPE VicePresident Erez Raz. “They make sure the buildings are clean and secure, equipment is properly maintained, records are in proper order, and so on. Without them, the entire system would grind to a halt.” It hasn’t been an easy few years, especially in post-secondary. In 2013, the Redford government announced that it was slashing $147 million from grants to post-secondary institutions, a 7.3-per-cent reduction across the board. It was a stark reversal from earlier promises to increase grants by two per cent. Institutions scrambled to reduce their planned budgets by 9.3 per cent, and caught in the middle were students and staff. Courses and programs of study were cancelled, satellite campuses closed, student spaces reduced, and jobs and hours were cut. It was havoc. Six months later, well after schools had made their cuts, the government abruptly announced that it had found $50 million to put back into the system – too little, too late for those affected. DIRECT IMPACT 13
While all this was going on, several AUPE bargaining units were trying to negotiate new collective agreements. Needless to say, progress was painfully slow. Then, in 2015, the tide turned. A wave of education-sector contract settlements were signed, each reflecting the deal reached between the Government of Alberta and AUPE’s 22,000 GOA members in 2014. In all, 11 contracts (eight postsecondary and all three K-12) were settled in 2015, some of which had been on the table since 2012. And it looks like the new NDP government acknowledges the critical role of education in Alberta’s future. Shortly after taking office in the spring, they announced the full restoration of the funding the Tories had cut. In their fall budget, they increased funding to the ministry by five per cent and
One of the other benefits of a healthy education system is the economic benefits that all Albertans enjoy. AUPE VP Mike Dempsey
planned further increases for the next two fiscal years. “It’s very encouraging,” said VicePresident Mike Dempsey. “As a union, we’ll keep our eyes on the situation and press the government to continue this commitment.” Dempsey was recently involved in a campaign to urge Advanced Education Minister Lori Sigurdson to renew the
commitment to keeping Athabasca University headquartered in Athabasca. Earlier this year an internal report surfaced, questioning AU’s viability and suggesting relocating the university to a larger city. So far, the government has given no indication that it is considering such a move. “One of the other benefits of a healthy education system is the economic benefits that all Albertans enjoy,” said Dempsey. “Athabasca University is the biggest employer in its community and makes huge contributions to the local economy, as do all institutions. They drive innovation and economic diversification, and their graduates are prepared to participate in the economy. “Our members have been through a lot in the past few years, and throughout it all they have kept this system running.” <
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ine Hat Tig ic d e M . s v s g in Edmonton Oil K, 2016, at 7 pm Friday, March 4 monton Rexall Place, Ed For more information contact:
1-800-232-7284 or visit www.aupe2019.com 14 DIRECT IMPACT
Steward sn Notes VOL. 9 • ISSUE 1 • WINTER 2016
A strong foundation AUPE’s new Foundations for Union Stewards program rolls out
By Merryn Edwards Communications Staff
The first participants in AUPE’s new union steward training program took on their new roles by the end of the 2015. The new program equips union stewards with the education and training they need to provide AUPE members with a strong foundation of workplace support and advocacy. The new program responds to feedback from stewards who reported they needed more training in order to fulfill all the duties expected of them. Union stewards are now required to complete more introductory courses STEWARD NOTES 1
sn as prerequisites, and the Foundations program expands on previous training to include three days of coursework, a homework assignment and five days of mentoring with multiple Membership Services Officers (MSOs). Union stewards who completed the previous Level 2 or 3 training do not need to complete the new training program. However, all union stewards are invited to participate in yearly workshops to help hone their skills. The workshops are non-mandatory, but will provide opportunities to network with other union stewards in their regions and learn more about specific issues such as understanding Albertaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Personal Information Protection Act. If you have not completed the required training under the previous or the new program (up to and including the mentorship portion), you are not an authorized AUPE Union Steward and you cannot represent members. Acting as a union steward before completing the necessary training program could have serious ramifications.
The new program will equip union stewards with the education and training they need to provide AUPE members with a strong foundation of workplace support and advocacy.
After completing the Foundations training, union stewards will be prepared to take on all the duties expected of them, including interpreting collective agreements, representing members in meetings and investigations, attending disciplinary meetings, and handling grievances. However, union stewards will also be expected to work closely with their MSO. In fact, only an MSO or other AUPE staff member can fulfill some duties, such as filing completed grievances, handling policy grievances, extending time limits, or signing last chance agreements. During the mentorship component of the new Foundations program, participants will be able to see firsthand what MSOs do on a daily basis. Even after the mentorship ends, MSOs are a great resource for Union Stewards for any questions or concerns they may have. If you have any questions about the new union steward program or would like more information about becoming an AUPE Union Steward, contact the Member Resource Centre at 1-800-232-7284. <
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
Understanding Standing Committees AUPE members can build their skills and contribute to their union by getting involved in a wide range of committees
year convention. The newly reformed committees met at the beginning of December to orient new members and plan their activities for 2016. If you think you may be interested in getting involved, check out the Committees section of the AUPE website to learn more about the kind of work they do. Reading past minutes and other documents will give you a good idea of what it would be like to serve on a committee. Some committees, including the Political Action, Occupational Health and Safety, Women’s, Pay and Social Equity, Young Activists, Environment and Centennial committees, also offer other ways for members to get involved in activities over the next two years. Many committees are also active on social media sites such as Facebook. There are usually plenty of ways to start small with your involvement, such as sending a letter in support of a committee campaign or attending a conference to learn more. Getting involved in these kinds of activities will give you a better idea of whether or not you would like to consider applying to become a formal member of the committee when the next committee cycle begins in 2017. <
AUPE’s Standing Committees Legislative Committee Membership Services Committee
By Merryn Edwards Communications Staff
An important part of the role of a union steward is to help identify and develop union activists, encouraging members to get involved and take on leadership roles. It’s a win-win when members learn new things and develop their own potential while also contributing their skills and energy to the union. The range of issues covered by AUPE’s thirteen standing committees is broad enough for most members to find something that piques their interest. Members can get involved with
Committee on Political Action Occupational Health & Safety Committee everything from the union’s finance and governance to social issues affecting AUPE members and all working people. In addition, a new Centennial committee will help AUPE prepare to celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2016 and the centennial of its forerunner, the Civil Service Association of Alberta, in 2019. Now is a great time to consider getting involved since the standing committees are beginning a new cycle. Every two years, standing committees are dissolved and reconstituted following an election
Women’s Committee Pension Committee Pay & Social Equity Committee Young Activists Committee Environmental Committee Members’ Benefits Committee Anti-Privatization Committee Human Rights Committee Finance Committee Centennial Committee (ad-hoc) 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, Calgary and Lethbridge. Core course registration opens January 5th. 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 & Lethbridge (calgaryregistrar@aupe.org).
Education Schedule - Winter 2015
* schedule subject to change
EDMONTON
CALGARY
RED DEER
LETHBRIDGE
Introduction to Your Union
Jan. 28 Mar. 8
Jan. 28 Mar. 8
Feb. 3
Mar. 8
Contract Interpretation
Feb. 9 Apr. 15
Feb. 9 Apr. 14
Apr. 6
Apr. 14
Introduction to OH&S
Feb. 10 & 11 Apr. 7 & 8
Feb. 10 & 11 Apr. 12 & 13
Mar. 9 & 10
Apr. 12 & 13
Basic Conflict Management
Jan. 26 & 27 Feb. 23 & 24 Mar. 30 & 31
Jan. 26 & 27 Feb. 23 & 24 Mar. 30 & 31
Feb. 18 & 19 Apr. 7 & 8
Jan. 26 & 27
Component Officer
Apr. 21 & 22
Apr. 21 & 22
Apr. 19 & 20
Foundations for Union Stewards
Mar. 16 - 18
Apr. 5-7
OH&S for Stewards
Apr. 13 & 14
Online Introduction to Your Union
Jan. 25 - Feb. 8 Mar. 21 - Apr. 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 to register for courses in Lethbridge where possible, and can otherwise 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/memberresources/education/. This includes the core course schedule for Winter 2016, 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 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
Q&A
with Alberta Labour Minister Lori Sigurdson By Andrew Hanon, Communications Staff
We sit down with a leading member of the Notley cabinet to discuss PTSD, labour laws and post-secondary education. (See page 16)
DIRECT IMPACT 15
T
he pride swelled in Dorothy Sigurdson’s voice as she recalls watching the provincial election results rolling in on May 5. Seeing her daughter Lori win the seat in Edmonton-Riverview for the NDP was “phenomenal. It was like a dream come true for my husband. It was quite an emotional moment for our whole family.” Lori Sigurdson, who now sits in Alberta’s first ever NDP cabinet, has progressive politics in her DNA. Her maternal grandfather was at the CCF’s 1932 founding convention in Calgary. Her father, Barney, was a union activist in the Ontario auto industry before moving his young family to Valleyview in Alberta’s Peace River country. Dorothy explained with a laugh, “There were only about eight of us NDP supporters in town.” Party leader Grant Notley was a frequent visitor to their home, sometimes with his daughter Rachel in tow, and Barney drove them around the area on party business. Lori was “always a leader. She was her student council president in high school and was always taking up causes.” Sigurdson went into social work, and for three years was a member of AUPE Local 006. She went on to work for the Alberta College of Social Workers and teach university classes. 16 DIRECT IMPACT
Sitting in her ministerial office at the provincial legislature in October, Sigurdson called the clients she served her heroes. “Despite maybe having a disability, or just leaving a family or domestic violence situation, having other kinds of barriers to their success, they get up and they try again, do their best to support their families,” she says. Five months into her job in the NDP cabinet, she called her new position “a great honour.” “It’s been pretty exciting to be part of the first NDP government Alberta has ever had,” she said. AUPE Executive Secretary-Treasurer Jason Heistad said that so far, the NDP’s approach to governing has been encouraging for the union. “In an economic downturn, it’s welcome to see a thoughtful approach to public finances, rather than the reckless cuts of the past. However, we will continue to watch this government and work toward ensuring that resources and staffing levels for public services are adequate. We hope to maintain a respectful relationship with this government, but AUPE will speak out forcefully when it’s warranted.” Sigurdson’s two portfolios, labour and advanced education, have significant influence on all 87,000 AUPE members. Direct Impact sat down with her for a
Q&A session on some of the union’s priorities. Here are her responses (some have been edited for brevity). Direct Impact: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is one of the most pressing occupational health and safety issues in the province. It’s especially urgent for corrections workers, human services workers and emergency room staff, who are exposed to violence and trauma on a daily basis. Despite this, they are excluded from “presumptive coverage” with the WCB, which means before they can get help, they must first prove that their PTSD is work-related. Will you expand presumptive coverage to these workers? Sigurdson: I just want to say, it’s so important that all workers have safe workplaces and that their wellbeing is ensured. It’s very important for us, and for me as minister of labour, to ensure that we have that safety and wellbeing in this province. And we do, as you said, have presumptive coverage for some of those front-line worker positions, firefighters, paramedics, police officers, and there is coverage for other workers after their diagnosis of PTSD. I’m certainly really open to continuing to hear from groups like AUPE and others regarding to what they would like to see going forward. I’ve asked my ministry staff to give me more
services, so we’re committed to serving a strong public sector. Direct Impact: You are also Minister of Advanced Education. Alberta’s postsecondary institutions, their staff and students have been through the wringer in the past few years. Unstable funding has led to program cuts, program cancellations, staff reductions and even campus closures. In this uncertain economic climate, there is more demand than ever for access to career training and skills upgrading. What is your government doing to get post-secondary education off this funding roller coaster?
information about this and we are looking at it. Direct Impact: The Alberta courts have ruled that certain sections of Alberta’s labour laws that severely restrict publicsector workers’ Charter rights, particularly the right to strike, are unconstitutional. Your government has until April 1 to rewrite the offending sections. Will this rewrite be tied to a larger review of the province’s labour legislation? What other labour laws are going to be reviewed by your government? Sigurdson: Well, you know that certainly, as a government, we feel labour legislation in Alberta needs to be modernized. There’s no doubt that it hasn’t been changed for some years, some longer than others. But the specific essential services legislation that you’re talking about, where we’re out of line with what the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled, that we do have a pretty tight deadline, at the end of March that we have to be in line with that, so we are having a focused review right now. It’s very important for us to hear from important stakeholders like AUPE regarding this in terms of how we’re going to write the legislation so that we are in line and, you know, concerns about what essential services are. Right now, what we’re going forward with is a very specific, focused review.
Direct Impact: Where do you stand on privatizing public services and publicsector jobs? As labour minister, what kinds of protections do you think publicsector workers should have against having their jobs contracted out? Sigurdson: If we can just bring it back to what happened yesterday. Yesterday we
Sigurdson: I just want to acknowledge that it has been a very difficult time for the post-secondary education sector. One of the very first things we did in the spring session was invest $40 million back into the post-secondary sector, and froze tuition so students could have affordable, accessible post-secondary. That was a clear commitment that we’re continuing as a government, and yesterday we just gave you the whole number for the year, which is $133 million, and certainly we’re very committed to supporting that sector. And we are going to be doing a comprehensive adult learning review to really look at all
In an economic downturn, it’s welcome to see a thoughtful approach to public finances, rather than the reckless cuts of the past. However, we will continue to watch this government and work toward ensuring that resources and staffing levels for public services are adequate. AUPE Executive Secretary-Treasurer Jason Heistad
presented our budget to Albertans and in that budget we had three pillars and one of those pillars was to stabilize and protect public services, you know, by making sure we are investing and making our public service strong. So certainly that continues to be our public commitment going forward. This isn’t the time to be cutting the public sector – it’s the time to be supporting the public sector and that will support our economy overall. We have people with mortgage-paying jobs, they’re contributing to the economy, contributing to serving Albertans in those public
aspects of the adult learning system to develop our plan going forward. Again, it’s very important for us to hear from stakeholders like AUPE regarding that and their ideas about the direction we should be taking, but that’s just something that’s certainly having well educated people who can then get mortgage-paying jobs and also to that whole diversity piece because we want to make sure that Albertans have all sorts of opportunities in different kinds of roles. We have a good, well-educated workforce, but it could be even better and we want to support that to happen. < DIRECT IMPACT 17
LABOUR NEWS
Inch by inch Union pressure drives AHS bargaining forward AUPE Vice-President Karen Weiers sums up the lengthy negotiations between Alberta Health Services’ General Support Services and Auxiliary Nursing Care members as “discouraging.” “AHS GSS staff, which boasts more than 25,000 employees, have been without a contract since March 2014,” said Weiers. “Moreover, the employer has engaged in regressive bargaining and that has left front line health-care staff feeling devalued and underappreciated.” In the fall 2015 edition of Direct Impact it was reported that bargaining was stalled not only for GSS, but for ANC. “More than 13,000 AUPE members in the ANC have been working toward a new contract since March 2015, but missing is a fair and reasonable mandate from AHS. “The employer’s tactics have caused backlogs for an additional 7,000 continuing care members. They’re waiting on the outcomes of AHS bargaining. All
Thinking green to mediate bargaining. This follows an announcement made earlier last fall that Mr. Sims would also mediate the AHS Auxiliary Nursing Care table. “We’re hopeful this means a fair and reasonable agreement can now be reached in a timely manner versus the long, drawn-out process first proposed, which would not see GSS bargaining proceed to interest arbitration until February,” said Weiers. The ANC bargaining committee met with the employer and Mr. Sims for the first time on Oct. 30 in Edmonton. The day was productive and saw nine articles and letters of understanding signed off. Both parties agreed to new language concerning Employee Management Advisory Committees, which allows for site-based EMACs, and new terms of reference to deal with staffing matters. Moreover, new language allowing LPNs and other professionals the ability to
Your union will continue to work enthusiastically toward getting a fair agreement for both GSS and ANC members soon. AUPE VP Karen Weiers
in all, bargaining for around 40,000 AUPE health-care members is hindered because of the labour relations approach by AHS. “However, AUPE has been pushing hard to get negotiations moving and I’m pleased to say that since our last report in Direct Impact some progress has been made,” Weiers said. Here are the latest advancements for both the GSS and ANC tables as of press time: A significant development was made in GSS bargaining in October 2015. It was announced both parties agreed to appoint respected mediator Andrew Sims 18 DIRECT IMPACT
address professional responsibility concerns, a major bargaining priority of members, was achieved. It is expected both bargaining teams will contact Mr. Sims shortly to schedule dates so both GSS and ANC tables are dealt with on similar timeframes. “We continue to thank members for their continued patience and tolerance shown throughout bargaining,” said Weiers. “But it’s time to end this delay. Your union will continue to work enthusiastically toward getting a fair agreement for both GSS and ANC members soon.” <
“Just little things”—that’s how AUPE Environment Committee member Marylou Savic describes how she reduces her environmental footprint. Nevertheless, those little things add up to a lifestyle dedicated to better health for herself, her community and the planet. Savic, a home care nurse, is an active citizen of Smoky Lake, north east of Edmonton. She is proud her small town has a municipal recycling program, which helps minimize the impact of the many visitors to the popular fall Pumpkin Festival. She also keeps an eye on littering through the county’s rural crime watch program. Savic helped the local hospital expand its recycling program to include cardboard and paper and reuse plastic dishes instead of discarding them after one use. Through her workplace OHS committee, she helps identify suggestions that improve safety and reduce waste, such as cutting down the amount of Styrofoam packaging. “I try to build awareness about what happens to waste,” said Savic. “I try to find ways to boost people’s interest in environmental issues by helping them find a connection to their own lives.” Savic’s environmentally friendly lifestyle choices—growing her own food, hanging her laundry outside year round, and walking whenever possible—also improve her health and connect her to her community. Whether she’s exchanging garden greens for eggs or working with her clients to improve their health outcomes, she’s always looking for ways to reduce waste and build environmental awareness. <
LABOUR NEWS
Helping hand AUPE introduces free, confidential support for members in job-related crisis Mental health and wellness is one of the most pressing occupational health and safety issues facing many AUPE members. Corrections workers and other peace officers, human services workers and emergency room staff are exposed to violence, trauma and crushing stress on an almost daily basis. Single, catastrophic events, like being attacked or witnessing horrific violence, often leave mental and emotional wounds that don’t simply heal over time. They can leave victims with flashbacks, anxiety, loss of compassion or desire, sleep problems, irritability, difficulty concentrating, hypervigilance and a host of other issues that affect every corner of their lives. It can be devastating for the individual, their family and friends. It can leave them
The bottom line is that the workers who do these jobs deserve to be protected as much as possible. AUPE VP Carrie-Lynn Rusznak
depressed or drive them to aggression and rage. They may withdraw from society and their families or “self medicate” through substance abuse or other high-risk behaviour. “So many of our members are at risk of developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and other issues because of the high-risk nature of their jobs,” explained AUPE Executive Secretary-Treasurer Jason Heistad. “That’s why we’ve partnered with Solareh, a mental health counseling organization, to offer a crisis support service to all members.”
Here’s how the new program works: If you are experiencing emotional problems due to a work-related incident, just call AUPE’s Crisis Support Service at 1-844-744-7026. After an initial assessment to ensure that your crisis is related to workplace events you will receive up to six counseling sessions per crisis situation. The service is entirely confidential and completely free to AUPE members. Crisis support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. For people caught in the emotional maelstrom of crisis, often just getting involved in a safe, private and nonjudgmental dialogue is enough to begin the healing process. The program is designed to help members in this situation to see more clearly and develop strategies for recovering. AUPE is working to improve awareness of work-related trauma and PTSD issues and get better access to help and treatment for members affected by it. The union is pressing the government to expand the range of occupations where PTSD is considered a “presumptive illness” by the WCB to include, among others, corrections workers, human services workers and emergency room staff. This will make it easier for them to get coverage and help. The union is also participating in more academic studies examining issues like workplace violence and stress to help develop better strategies to prevent situations that lead to PTSD. “The bottom line,” said AUPE VicePresident Carrie-Lynn Rusznak, “is that the workers who do these jobs deserve to be protected as much as possible. But when tragedy and trauma do strike, we need to ensure that they get the help they need. AUPE is working on both the long-term and short-term solutions for our members.” <
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LABOUR NEWS
It’s in the cards AUPE tests an electronic method for signing union membership “grey cards” With iPads in hand, AUPE representatives talked with over 2,000 members this past fall at several worksites selected to test a new method of gathering contact information. “We combined the tried and tested method of face-to-face union organizing with the communications possibilities of new technologies,” said AUPE VicePresident Glen Scott. “People were so positive that someone from the union was there to talk with them one-on-one,” said Bruce Macdonald, who participated at his worksite, the University of Alberta Hospital. “They also seemed to like being a part of something modern and exciting.” The pilot project emphasized gathering cell phone numbers and personal email addresses, the fastest, most efficient methods for keeping members updated. The iPads were also equipped with software and security necessary for members’ signatures to carry the same legal validity as hard copy union membership cards known as “grey cards.” The iPads were connected to records from AUPE’s member database, so participants could quickly verify and update contact information. “We did find a lot of errors, where people had moved or gotten rid of their landline,” said Macdonald. When a worksite was in the midst of bargaining, it helped generate a buzz about the project. “It was very reassuring for people to know that the union would be able to let them know what was going on,” said Macdonald. The spirit of friendly competition emerged as participants jockeyed to make contact with the most members. “We really took on the challenge,” said Frank Snow, who helped with the project at the University of Calgary. At a bustling location like the U of C, the main obstacle was determining who 20 DIRECT IMPACT
were the AUPE members in the crowd. In contrast, David Milner had his work cut out for him, driving hundreds of kilometres between 20 worksites that are part of Local 118 in the rural area surrounding Hanna, north east of Calgary. Across all the test sites, members expressed gratitude for the face-to-face contact with someone from their union, especially in the case of casual or night shift employees. “So many times in health care, I think the night shift feels they get forgotten,” said Macdonald. The pilot project also demonstrated that this in-person approach might actually be the best way to encourage members to use new technologies. Participants reported positive feedback from members who didn’t know that they could receive updates from AUPE’s website through an app on their mobile devices. Similarly, 75 per cent of respondents at the U of C indicated they would prefer to receive Direct Impact via email.
We combined the tried and tested method of faceto-face union organizing with the communications possibilities of new technologies. AUPE VP Glen Scott
The downside? It’s just a pilot project for now. “We didn’t want to give our iPads back, and we are still getting people coming up to us wanting to sign that way,” said Snow. The plan is for AUPE to extend this initiative after studying results from the pilot. The hope is to boost rates of signing, especially amongst government employees who tend to be less familiar than health care members with the idea of signing union membership cards. For now, all members are encouraged to sign hard copy grey cards and keep their contact information up to date by calling the Resource Centre or visiting www.aupe. org/update-me. <
STAY INFORMED SAVE PAPER UPDATE YOUR EMAIL TODAY UPDATE YOUR INFO AT www.aupe.org/update-me
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LABOUR NEWS
Seeing your union socially AUPE breaks new ground for unions in social media It’s a small, unassuming office in a corner of the main floor of AUPE Headquarters, but more members are passing through those doors and engaging with their union than ever before, even if only virtually. In September, AUPE became one of the first unions in Canada to hire a social media organizer, whose full-time job is to engage members on social media and build their relationship with their union. “We know that membership mobilization is key to our union’s strength,” said Executive Secretary-Treasurer Jason Heistad. “Our activists work hard at faceto-face mobilizing, but with more than 87,000 members, we knew we needed to supplement that effort with social media as a way to reach more members more often.” A recent Forum Research poll shows that 59 per cent of Canadians are active on Facebook. AUPE’s own research shows that our members are very likely to have a Facebook account, making it an ideal way to reach out and get them engaged. While AUPE has been active on Facebook for several years, it was one of many responsibilities for the Communications department. So, in September, Ishani Weera joined AUPE’s Organizing department to spearhead the union’s social media engagement with members. And boy, have they ever become engaged. In the last three months, the number of people who have liked the AUPE Facebook page has almost doubled; after a slow growth to 6,700 likes since July 2011, over 14,000 people now see AUPE posts on their Facebook feeds. But that’s not the number Weera likes to talk about. “In September, AUPE’s Facebook page had about five per cent engagement; that’s the number of people interacting directly with the content by commenting on, liking, and sharing posts,” she said. “Now we’re seeing engagement rates as high as 80 per cent.”
A large part of that increased engagement is the information that is being posted. In addition to bargaining updates and news releases, AUPE is now posting links to articles on topics of interest to the membership, such as work-life balance, occupational health and safety, and the wider labour movement, as well as what’s going on in the union: work by committees, campaigns, and union events like Convention. While online engagement will never replace face-to-face mobilization and the traditional ways of contacting members, it can be a great tool to help get information out and get people thinking about what their union does for them. < Facebook: (facebook.com/yourAUPE/) Twitter: (@_AUPE_) Instagram: (@yourAUPE)
All in a day’s work AUPE member recognized for rescue
A provincial conservation officer has to be prepared for just about anything when patrolling Alberta’s wilderness. But one thing that catches a lot of them off-guard is public recognition. That’s how it was in November for Amit Dutta, a conservation officer and AUPE member in the Kananaskis area, when he was presented with the firstever Chief’s Commendation Award for rescuing a hypothermic boater on Barrier Lake last summer. “I’m really surprised,” Dutta told the Calgary Sun after receiving the honour. “It’s just what we do.” On July 28, Dutta was called to the lake for what sounded like a drowning incident. But according to media reports, high winds had made the water so choppy that a small boat carrying an Edmonton couple was unable to get to shore. The husband was in the frigid water, trying to swim and tow the vessel in, but the waves kept pushing them back. When Dutta arrived, the boat was
Biggest Alberta union on social media? Almost! AUPE might be the biggest union in Alberta in terms of members, but we haven’t quite claimed that title on social media. As of press time, AUPE had more than 14,000 likes on our Facebook page, but UFCW 401, representing food and commercial workers in Alberta, has us beat at 16,000 likes. Help us claim the title! Like AUPE at www.facebook.com/ yourAUPE today!
ashore and the husband was conscious but unresponsive. He wrapped the man in his body armour vest to help him warm up. Dutta then hoisted the man onto his shoulder and carried him up a rocky slope to rendezvous with an ambulance. The man was taken to Foothills Hospital in Calgary, where he made a full recovery. “Every day, Alberta Parks’ Conservation Officers work hard to protect public safety and our natural environment,” said Environment and Parks Minister Shannon Phillips in a statement. “Every so often, they’re called up to go above and beyond, as Mr. Dutta did in July. We are proud to recognize our public security staff when these events occur and the Chief’s Commendation Award is the highest form of that recognition.” Solicitor General Kathleen Ganley said Dutta’s “courage and quick thinking and professionalism made him an ideal candidate and we’re very proud to be able to honour him in this way.” < DIRECT IMPACT 21
LABOUR NEWS
Pat was a strong woman and a staunch advocate, but she was always a really nice person. You always felt she was listening to you and actually hearing what you said. Former AUPE President Carol Anne Dean
Patricia Wocknitz (1932-2015) AUPE’s first “lady president” passes away It was a short line in her obituary, but it encompassed so much: “She became very involved in AUPE, becoming the first lady president and served two terms.” Patricia Wocknitz passed away in late August 2015 in her hometown of Claresholm, AB. It was the town where she started her journey into union activism, and the town she returned to after a life well lived. Wocknitz was an active Local 001 member, working as a clerical worker in Claresholm. After a period serving on the union’s provincial executive and as vice-president, she became AUPE’s third president in 1987, the first woman to fill that position. It was a difficult time. Alberta’s new premier, Don Getty, started off a decade of privatization, layoffs, and cutbacks 22 DIRECT IMPACT
to the public sector, and Wocknitz was thrown right into the midst of it. She met with Getty to negotiate an early retirement incentive program for government workers, worked to organize new members to make up for the losses cutbacks were inflicting on the union, and fought hard to try to protect members’ jobs. Throughout it all, she maintained her position as a union moderate who focused on diplomacy and negotiations to protect members’ rights and jobs. However, with the 1992 election of Ralph Klein as Progressive Conservative party leader and premier of Alberta, even the most capable diplomat could only achieve so much. Privatization and layoffs increased under Klein. In all, nearly 4,700 jobs were lost between 1990 and 1993. It was during this time, however, that
AUPE became the main defender of public services. Wocknitz’s advocacy as president set the tone for AUPE as the voice for the services Albertans rely upon. “At a time when the government clearly didn’t see the value of public services, Pat was there telling them and the public why those services were important,” said Carol Anne Dean, who succeeded Wocknitz as AUPE president in 1993. “She became the public voice for members to defend their jobs as essential to Albertans. And through it all, she never lost her warm character. Pat was a strong woman and a staunch advocate, but she was always a really nice person. You always felt she was listening to you and actually hearing what you said.” Since Wocknitz’s time, AUPE has continued to defend essential public services in the media and to the government and employers. The bar that Wocknitz set as an advocate for the services Albertans rely upon has been an essential part of the work of each successive AUPE president, from Dean through Dan McLennan, Doug Knight, and current AUPE president Guy Smith. AUPE’s first woman president will be missed, but her legacy lives on in the union we are today. <
LABOUR NEWS
Fair deal for seniors care staff
First contact: Meet an MSO Calgary-based Membership Services Officer Karla Downie explains her role “It’s challenging, but there’s tremendous value in this job,” says Karla Downie of her role as a Membership Services Officer or MSO. “There’s incredible importance in advocating for members.” Downie has worked for AUPE as an MSO out of the Calgary office since 2007. She supports AUPE members from a variety of workplaces including hospitals and seniors care, post-secondary education and government offices. Together with Union Stewards from those workplaces, she ensures members can access the union representation they need to deal with problems at work. “Employers run the workplace, and members are the underdog, so to speak, so they need advocacy,” says Downie. When members realize they have a union advocate on their side, it helps a lot. “So often when I’m talking to someone I can hear the emotion in their voice. It’s gratifying to see how they were anxious before a meeting, but after you can see that they feel calmer.” The type of support that Downie offers ranges from assisting members in crisis in accessing the AUPE Benevolent Fund to just a quick “reality check” conversation about messages coming from management. “I can’t stress enough that members should know that there’s support
if they have a question or if they need something vetted.” Whether she is attending a workplace investigation or disciplinary meeting with a member or just answering a question about short or long term disability, how to interpret a collective agreement or how bargaining is going, Downie sees herself as “one of the live links to the organization.” Part of that link is ensuring that the chapters she supports have the information and resources that they need to operate effectively. She frequently attends chapter meetings or helps coordinate the attendance of AUPE Vice-Presidents. She also helps chapters plan events for their members and liaises with AUPE headquarters to help get the word out. Downie is quick to remind members that “knowledge is power” and encourages them to further their union education and involvement, including developing the capacity of existing Union Stewards and identifying potential new ones. “I try to get an understanding what is their knowledge base and guide them if there are some areas that need to be unwrinkled a bit or strengthened.” Not sure if a MSO can help you? When in doubt, call! AUPE members can reach their MSOs by calling the Member Resource Centre at 1-800-232-7284. <
It was a victory for fairness in a sector known for inequity. In October, 120 new AUPE members at Revera Scenic Acres, a seniors facility in Calgary, ratified a first contract that brought wage levels in line with staff doing the same work at other AUPE Revera sites. When the support and nursing staff at Scenic Acres first joined AUPE in January 2015, the wage gap for some positions was enormous. Some employees were making 29 per cent less than their counterparts just a few kilometres away at Revera Edgemont, another site represented by AUPE. Face-to-face bargaining began in April. After six sessions at the table, there were still enough outstanding issues that a third-party mediator was brought in to recommend a settlement. In the end, a three-year collective agreement was signed. In the first year, the Scenic Acres staff will see their wages brought in line with those at Edgemont. In January 2016 they will receive 2.75-percent increase to their hourly rate. They will get a 2.5-per-cent increase in January 2017. The employees will also see increases to shift and weekend premiums, among other monetary improvements. Seniors care in Alberta has been an area of considerable strife in recent years. AUPE has waged battles against some private, for-profit employers who have tried to maintain their profit margins with low wages and minimal staffing levels. AUPE has long argued that it’s not just the employees who suffer from this strategy. The seniors living in these situations don’t get the care they need when staff are overworked, spread too thin and more likely to quit when a better paying position comes along elsewhere. The Scenic Acres settlement helps address those issues. < DIRECT IMPACT 23
new language around hours of work, which was a major issue for the members to resolve in bargaining, and the bargaining relationship has been positive. However, ongoing issues around Alberta Health Services bargaining have left Covenant Health with no mandate to bargain financial matters. It is for this reason only that the committee and the employer have filed for mediation.
Local 047/002
LABOUR RELATIONS BRIEFS AUGUST 20 - DECEMBER 4, 2015
Local 040/012, 013 Covenant Holy Cross Manor & Villa Marie: Mediation ends
Oct. 26 was the last day of an unsuccessful mediation for seniors care workers at Covenant Care’s Villa Marie in Red Deer and Holy Cross Manor in Calgary. The two bargaining units, who have been trying to negotiate first collective agreements, are very disappointed that the employer continues to depart from its stance of making quality care, including attracting and retaining qualified staff, a top priority. Historically, Covenant has clearly understood the connection between a quality standard of care and attracting and retaining qualified staff. Next steps for the workers will be decided in the coming weeks, up to and including legal strike action.
Local 040, Local 046 Covenant Health ANC: Application for mediation
Despite great progress in bargaining on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, the bargaining committee for Covenant Health’s ANC workers has applied for mediation. Bargaining was able to generate 24 DIRECT IMPACT
West Pine Lodge Winfield: Employees join AUPE
Twenty workers at West Pine Lodge in Winfield joined AUPE following a worksite vote on Oct. 2. The employees at the seniors care facility had concerns about under-staffing and scheduling that led them to approach the union for representation. West Pine Lodge is operated by the Bethany Group. AUPE already represents more than 400 Bethany Group employees in the Camrose area. The employees at the Winfield facility, located approximately 120 kilometres south west of Edmonton, have joined their brothers and sisters from Bethany Tri Lodges in bargaining with the employer.
Local 047/009
Sunrise Village Camrose: Employees join AUPE
Seniors care workers at Sunrise Village in Camrose joined AUPE following a worksite vote on Oct. 1. The facility is owned by Continuum Health Care, which also owns seven other Sunrise Village locations around Alberta, but is managed by Extendicare. AUPE already represents almost 2,000 direct Extendicare employees at eight locations across Alberta. Employees at Sunrise Village Camrose wanted union representation to help them deal with seniority issues and high staff turnover. Negotiations for a first collective agreement will begin shortly. There are over 100 workers at Sunrise Village Camrose, which is located approximately 100 kilometres south east of Edmonton.
Local 047/012 Points West Living Lloydminster: Employees join AUPE
Employees at Points West Living in Lloydminster became the newest AUPE members following a worksite vote on Oct. 2. More than 60 employees join their brothers and sisters at three other Points West Living sites in Cold Lake and Vegreville as AUPE members. AUPE will now begin work negotiating a collective agreement that brings their compensation in line with industry standards, allowing the employer to attract and retain qualified staff and increase the quality of care for seniors in rural Alberta.
Local 047/004, 011, 014, 018, 019, 033 Shepherd’s Care ANC and GSS: Application for mediation
After a final fruitless day of bargaining on Sept. 9, the bargaining committees for six Shepherd’s Care worksites decided to apply for mediation. While language that harmonizes agreements across all worksites was signed off on, the employer’s monetary proposal was not acceptable. The employer offered zero per cent in each of two years and a $500 lump sum only for full-time equivalents in the second year. Mediation will be scheduled as soon as possible.
Local 047/026 Lamont County Housing Foundation: Employees join AUPE
Following worksite votes on Oct. 1 and 2, 41 employees at three seniors lodges run by the Lamont County Housing Foundation became AUPE members. Employees at the lodges in Lamont, Mundare, and Andrew approached AUPE to assist them in making workplace improvements to occupational health and safety, policies, and consistency in application of policies that will make it easier for them to deliver quality care to seniors. Negotiations for a first collective agreement will begin shortly.
Local 048/017
Clifton Manor: Application for mediation
After continued refusals to table monetary proposals, the bargaining committee for Clifton Manor applied for mediation following the end of bargaining on Sept. 23. Citing uncertainty with funding from Alberta Health Services, the employer refused to table any monetary proposal beyond zero per cent over three years. A mediator has been appointed, and mediation will begin shortly.
Local 048/019
AgeCare Valleyview: Employer rejects mediator’s recommendation
AgeCare Valleyview employees were shocked when their employer rejected an independent mediator’s recommendations on Sept. 30, one day after the employees had voted to accept them. Despite not achieving everything in bargaining that they might have hoped, the employees accepted the mediator’s recommendation in order to get back to what mattered most: caring for the seniors at Valleyview. The bargaining committee is currently exploring next steps, up to and including job action, following the employer’s rejection.
Local 048/028 Revera Scenic Acres: Agreement ratified
Employees at Revera Scenic Acres ratified their first collective agreement on Oct. 19, reached over six days of bargaining and with a mediator to help settle the final details. The collective agreement will see the employees’ compensation increase to match those in the same jobs at Revera Edgemont – another AUPE-represented site in Calgary – in the first year, then receive a 2.75 per cent increase on Jan. 1, 2016, followed by a 2.5 per cent increase on Jan. 1, 2017. Improvements to shift and weekend premiums and other monetary improvements round out highlights of the collective agreement.
AUPE represents 120 nursing and support staff at the seniors care facility. The employees joined AUPE in Jan. 2015.
Local 048/033
Evanston Grand Village: Employees join AUPE
Following a vote on Oct. 21, the 157 employees of Golden Life Management’s Evanston Grand Village facility in Calgary became the newest AUPE members. The employees, many of whom also work at other AUPE-represented facilities, sought union representation to help them deal with employer issues and advocate for quality care for residents. Bargaining for a first collective agreement will begin shortly.
Member Resource Centre
Local 049
Capital Care GSS: Mediation stalled
The bargaining committee for Capital Care GSS workers met with the employer for mediation on Sept. 8, but decided to cancel ongoing mediation as little progress was made. The employer continues to wait for the provincial budget and direction from Alberta Health Services before making financial commitments. The bargaining committee looks forward to restarting mediation once the employer receives new direction.
Local 052
University of Calgary: Agreement ratified
Support staff at the University of Calgary ratified a new collective agreement on Sept. 23. The three-year agreement expiring March 30, 2018 was the result of a productive and positive round of negotiations with the employer. Highlights of the agreement include: wage increases of two per cent in 2015 and 2.25 per cent each in 2016 and 2017; improvements to shift and weekend premiums; improvements to vacation; and improvements to extended health benefits. AUPE represents nearly 4,800 support staff at the University of Calgary. <
ONE NUMBER HELPING 87,000 MEMBERS If you’ve called AUPE lately, you already know the benefits of our 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
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Spotlight on finance from Executive Secretary-Treasurer Jason Heistad
Over the last two and a half years we have given more than a million dollars in support to our brothers and sisters who have faced financial hardships.
During the holiday season we feel grateful for all our blessings and many tend to look out and beyond themselves to help others. Despite the security of a collective agreement, some AUPE members work multiple jobs just to make ends meet. When an emergency strikes, and members fall into financial distress, AUPE’s Benevolent Fund is there to lend a hand. Over the last two and a half years we have given more than a million dollars in support to our brothers and sisters who have faced financial hardships. This year, we established a new Group Financial Benefit with ATB Financial. This is available only to AUPE members and you may apply for it at any ATB branch across Alberta. For every approved application, ATB will donate $25 to AUPE’s Benevolent Fund. Choose from a free basic account or a $5 per month unlimited account (half the normal price) while earning 26 DIRECT IMPACT
annual bonuses on everyday banking. Plus enhanced savings opportunities, not available to regular customers and discounted rates on mortgages and lines of credit. AUPE’s more than 87,000 members and its staff have had a tremendous year of growth and success. The Executive Committee looks forward to 2016 and continuing to provide support at the grass roots level as members channel positive energy towards the Albertans we serve. It is an honour and privilege to represent AUPE members and staff in my capacity as Executive Secretary-Treasurer. < In Solidarity,
Jason Heistad AUPE Executive Secretary-Treasurer
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.
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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