In light of the United Conservative Party of Alberta’s unprecedented attack on workers and unions rights earlier this week, the Customs and Immigration Union expresses its full solidarity with the Alberta Federation of Labour and the Alberta Teachers’ Association.
“By invoking the notwithstanding clause to send Alberta’s teachers back to work, the UCP is saying loud and clear that it will stop at nothing to strip hard-working people of their rights and protections” said Brea Baresinkoff, CIU 2nd National Vice-President, responsible for the CIU Prairies Region. “Other unions cannot sit idly by as the Alberta government signals to all provinces that it’s open season on workers rights, collective bargaining, and the democratic process.”
CIU encourages all its members to visit the Alberta Federation of Labour’s website for more information on how to support the unions in their fight.
CIU also echoes the recent PSAC Prairies statement:
The Alberta government’s recent move to invoke the clause and steamroll the rights of teachers is not just wrong — it is undemocratic and sets a dangerous precedent in this province. We are urging our members and the public not to sit by as this government demonstrates it has no issue suspending the rights of Albertans. We strongly encourage you to join the Alberta Federation of Labour’s Ready to Resist campaign. Learn more and sign up for updates through the AFL website. Additionally, reach out to your local MLA and let them know this is unacceptable and as a constituent you do not support it. We are currently exploring all our available options to push back, including but not limited to, escalating direct actions and will be providing regular updates to members for ways to get involved.
‘Make no mistake, the use of the notwithstanding clause on teachers is the canary in the coal mine when it comes to the draconian and undemocratic moves of a government intent on trampling the democratic process and the rights of its citizens,’ said Marianne Hladun, Regional Executive Vice-President, Prairies.
On October 27, Bill 2, the Back to School Act, was tabled and rammed through the legislature. Any attempts to meaningfully debate the bill were blocked. Any chance for public input was denied. Instead the government used their majority to push it through, to achieve its own ends, at the expense of the citizens of Alberta.
‘This is no longer just a fight for public education, this is a fight against a government determined to silence Albertans and strip away their rights. How much more will we allow before we say enough?’ continued Hladun.
More information
To find out more on how unions in Alberta are responding to the provincial government’s attack on workers rights, see:
