BIG-TIME BARGAINING With up to 75,000 members heading into negotiations, AUPE prepares for its
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Published by the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees
WINTER 2017
BIG-TIME
BARGAINING
With up to 75,000 members heading
into negotiations, AUPE prepares for its
busiest year ever
C I V I L S E RV I C E A S S O C I AT I O N A L B E RTA U N I O N O F P R O V I N C I A L
O F A L B E RTA ( 1 9 1 9 - 1 9 7 6 ) E M P LOY E E S ( 1 9 76 -2 0 1 9 )
FEATURES
DI
WINTER 2017 CONTENTS
Direct Impact is published quarterly,
with a circulation of more
than 90,000.
We’re going to need more chairs
AUPE is preparing for an unprecedented year in 2017, with
up to 75,000 members heading into collective bargaining as
pressure mounts on the provincial government to slash public
spending amidst a struggling economy.
AUPE EXECUTIVE
8
President
Guy Smith
Public funding, private care
Executive Secretary-Treasurer
Privately run seniors care operators are benefiting from public
Jason Heistad dollars even though they provide care less efficiently - so why are
they allowed to use government funds to pad their bottom line?
Vice-President
Mike Dempsey 12
Vice-President
Bonnie Gostola By the numbers - Austerity vs. Investment
With Alberta's economy struggling thanks to low oil prices, the
calls to slow spending are growing louder and more persistent.
Vice-President But does cutting public spending actually help lift an economy
Carrie-Lynn Rusznak out of the dumps or does it just make everything worse?
Vice-President
6
Glen Scott
Vice-President
Susan Slade
From the President 4
Focus on AUPE 5
Vice-President Got a story idea? We want to know what AUPE members Labour News 16
Karen Weiers are up to. Send your suggestions to editor@aupe.org. Labour Relations Briefs 24
Spotlight on Finance 26
Steward Notes Inside
Executive Director
Carl Soderstrom
Managing Editor
Desiree Schell
Editor
Mariam Ibrahim You'll find a special poster commemorating AUPE's 40th anniversary on
Contributors
the inside cover of this issue of Direct Impact for you to pull out and post
Tyler Bedford at home or at your worksite. The poster was commissioned by AUPE in
Vanessa Bjerreskov honour of its centennial celebration in 2019 and is inspired by traditional
Merryn Edwards union banners of the past.
Reakash Walters
Design C I V I L S E RV I C E A S S O C I A T I O N
O F A L B E R TA ( 1 9 1 9 - 1 9 7 6 )
A L B E RTA U N I O N O F P R O V I N C I A L
E M P LOY E E S ( 1 9 76 -2 0 1 9 )
Jon Olsen
Telephone: 1-800-232-7284
Canadian Publications Mail Agreement: 40065207
Fax: 780-930-3392
Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:
Toll-free Fax: 1-888-388-2873
Alberta Union of Provincial Employees
info@aupe.org 10451 - 170 Street NW,
www.aupe.org Edmonton, AB T5P 4S7 16325
DIRECT IMPACT 3
FROM THE PRESIDENT Greetings! I want to wish you, your family services are there for Albertans when they and loved ones a happy new year. I also want need them. to let you know that your union has firmly That’s why these rounds of negotiations, if focused its energy, resources and expertise on they are conducted in a progressive, respect- this year’s upcoming rounds of negotiations. ful and meaningful environment, are so In fact, 2017 will be the busiest year in important and will potentially have long-term AUPE’s long and proud history when it positive impacts on the lives of our members. comes to collective bargaining. Up to 75,000 Likewise, bargaining that is acrimonious, of our 90,000 members will be represented regressive, and concessionary will have long- at dozens of bargaining tables in all the sec- term negative impacts on our members, tors AUPE represents, each one filled with services to Albertans and our important the hard-working women and men on the relationships with the government and other In Solidarity, front lines protecting the safety, health and employers. security of Albertans. The most significant aspect of successful There is no doubt that the lion’s share of and productive negotiations is your involve- public and political attention will be focused ment, engagement and awareness as an AUPE Guy Smith on bargaining between AUPE and the Gov- member. To that end I encourage you to keep AUPE President ernment of Alberta itself, where we will be your eyes open for communication from working hard to secure a new collective agree- AUPE about bargaining surveys, updates ment for our 22,000 members in front-line and notices for meetings or events around Government Services. negotiations. Your participation is essential This, like all other rounds of negotiations, to supporting your bargaining committee will be challenging on a number of fronts. as they work hard to get the best possible We know that the Alberta economy has suf- collective agreement for you at the table. fered as a result of the reliance on volatile and Rest assured that your AUPE executive depressed resource revenue. We know that leadership team, which recently welcomed now, more than ever, Albertans rely upon newly elected Vice-President Bonnie Gostola, the social fabric of public services to support is committed to ensuring that the resources, communities, families and the province as processes and determination are in place to a whole through these difficult times. We help you be engaged as much as possible in know that, despite these challenges, there negotiations. are opportunities to have successful rounds Never before have so many of our members, of bargaining that focus on all aspects of the along with other unions, been in collective collective agreement that provide support bargaining at the same time. Never before and security to our members. have we had the level of challenges, opportuni- Yes, we need to be creative. Yes, we need ties and the need for membership engagement to be agile and ready to take advantage of than we do right now. Sisters and brothers, the shifting dynamics around collective bar- because of this, we all need to work together gaining. And yes, we need to do all we can to and support each other like never before as ensure that stable, effective and responsive we move forward into 2017. 4 DIRECT IMPACT
FOCUS ON AUPE
CONVENTION 2016
More than 1,100 delegates, observers,
life members and others packed the
Shaw Conference Centre for AUPE’s
40th Annual Convention this past
October.
The gathering was a special occasion,
marking four decades of AUPE’s
history in Alberta. Delegates and other
guests had the opportunity to learn
more about the union’s important
place in the province through displays
and historical artifacts. An exciting
executive election also took place, with
Bonnie Gostola winning the position of
vice-president after four ballots.
DIRECT IMPACT 5
BY THE NUMBERS
Austerity. It’s the big buzzword during economic downturns and has been touted by some as the solution to lower government revenues
and poor economic growth. But is that really true? European countries have adopted austerity policies since 2008 and the results have
been drastic. Cuts on public spending often trickle into the economy, meaning citizens have less money to spend, local businesses
see fewer customers, and the government takes in less tax revenue. By contrast, boosting public spending in down times can lead to
economic growth as the wages of public employees ripple through the community.
SPENDING MONEY, CREATING GROWTH
What does investing in the future actually look like? Let’s add $10 million in public sector spending and watch it grow as it creates jobs, resulting in wages
flowing through the provincial economy. To put that figure in perspective, consider that in the last fiscal year Alberta Health Services spent $13.6 billion.
INVEST $10 MILLION IN INVEST $10 MILLION IN INVEST $10 MILLION IN
UNIVERSITIES OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICES HEALTH CARE & SOCIAL ASSISTANCE
92 93 124 $6.3 $6.5 $6.5 $15.3 $19.8 $15.8
MILLION MILLION MILLION MILLION MILLION MILLION
JOBS CREATED WAGES ADDED TOTAL ECONOMIC
TO THE ECONOMY OUTPUT GENERATED
309 $19.3 million $50.9 million
6 DIRECT IMPACT
Source: Alberta Economic Multipliers 2011: published 2015 by Alberta Treasury Board and Finance. Table 5. Alberta Total Multipliers.
In the midst of job losses, fiscal crises, bankruptcies, and overall financial uncertainty, spending
THE CASE announcements by government are usually met with cries of, “Stop wasting my tax dollars!”
AGAINST AUSTERITY But we can take a lesson from Europe, which has spent eight years under austerity policies.
DECLINING ECONOMIES
Many European economies have still not recovered and are presently smaller than they were in 2008.
JOBS FOR THE PEOPLE Even for the European economic giants, austerity has slowed growth.
The austerity model seems
to ignore one key to a strong
economy: people need to work so
that products can be purchased,
taxes can be paid, and the economy
can grow. When austerity was
forced on the struggling economies
of Europe, millions of people were
thrown out of work, and many are
still unemployed. A study by Social
GREECE SPAIN PORTUGAL GERMANY
-27.6% -6.5% -4.5% +5.5%
Europe concluded that if austerity
measures had been only half as
severe as they were, many more
people would be employed today.
Since 2008, Greece has In contrast, Spain’s With an economy that Even the German
IRELAND been the poster child new minority is still 4.5 per cent economy has slowed.
for fiscal management government plans smaller than it was With Germany being
-50,000 run amok. The EU
plan was to solve the
to introduce new
cuts and austerity
in 2008, Portugal is
one of a handful of
tied so closely to the
rest of the continent,
Greek crisis through measures. With EU countries trying it is not surprising
deep cuts and harsh unemployment at to push back against that austerity forced
austerity. More than 20 per cent (and austerity. Portugal’s new on its neighbours has
PORTUGAL eight years later the 50-per-cent youth government passed a cooled its usually red-
Greek economy unemployment) budget in early 2016 hot economy, with
-150,000 is stagnant, and
27-per-cent smaller
additional cuts could
damage an already
that begins to reverse
austerity measures, but
growth of just
5.5 per cent above
than pre-austerity. fragile recovery. it’s not enough. 2008 levels.
ITALY
-275,000 POVERTY RISES
Various studies have
concluded that an
increase in poverty is
24.6%
GREECE a direct result of fiscal
austerity policies. In European Union citizens
-300,000 England, it is expected
that one out of every
currently considered at
four children will be (122 MILLION) risk of poverty.
living in poverty by
2020 because of cuts
SPAIN to social assistance and
other austerity policies.
-525,000
PUBLIC DEBT IS PUBLIC DEBT
ENGLAND’S PUBLIC DEBT PROBLEM
THIS ADDS UP TO 56.6% GROWS TO
90%
1.3 MILLION
Austerity measures are touted as a way
of slaying a country’s debt monster, OF TOTAL GDP
OF TOTAL GDP
but they have been proven to have
FEWER JOBS
the opposite effect. A government’s
debt-to-GDP (gross domestic product)
ratio is used by economists to evaluate
the strength of a country’s economy;
IN THE HARDEST HIT the lower the ratio, the stronger the 2009 2013
EUROPEAN COUNTRIES economy. England’s debt-to-GDP ratio
Source: https://www.socialeurope.eu/2016/03/ skyrocketed 40 per cent in 2013 after
austerity-crippled-european-economy-numbers/
four years of austerity.
DIRECT IMPACT 7
8 DIRECT IMPACT
As AUPE gears up for its busiest year ever with up
to 75,000 members across all four sectors at the
bargaining table, one thing is clear...
WE’RE GOING TO NEED
MORE CHAIRS
As the provincial government prepares to table its annual budget in the coming
months, a familiar tune is playing in Alberta’s political scene.
With a $10-billion deficit looming, a sluggish economy and a provincial unemploy-
ment rate of 8.5 per cent, the usual suspects among Alberta’s opposition parties have
once again taken up their loud and persistent refrain to cut public spending at any cost.
The calls to slash the public service are nothing new – for decades, right-wing parties
in Alberta have gone back to that uninspired way out, even though austerity measures
have been shown to worsen the social side effects of economic instability for citizens.
But this message is particularly troubling in 2017 as up to 75,000 AUPE members
are preparing to enter bargaining. It makes for a historic year, where the highest ever
percentage of the union’s membership will be in contract negotiations.
That includes dozens of contracts that have either already expired or will be expir-
ing this year, affecting members across the four sectors represented by AUPE: health
care, education, Government of Alberta, and boards, agencies and local governments.
It’s going to be an unprecedented round of bargaining for another reason, too: for the
first time the majority of AUPE members will have the legal right to strike, thanks to
the 2015 Supreme Court ruling protecting that right under the Canadian Constitution.
By Mariam Ibrahim
Communications Staff
DIRECT IMPACT 9
“Collective bargaining is always a challenge slash-and-burn approach, hollowing out
but we know that in 2017 it will be especially public services in the name of slaying the
tough, given the economic downturn and the deficit and eliminating the province’s debt
pressure being put on the NDP government – but at what cost?
to bend to right-wing interests in this prov- Program spending in Alberta went from
ince,” said AUPE President Guy Smith. “But a high mark of $12,000 per capita in 1986
we have always resisted the government’s and to roughly $7,000 per capita a decade later,
We need creative solutions
other employers’ attempts to scapegoat public taking a real toll on the province. It would
for one of the most sector workers and balance their books on take more than a decade for spending levels
challenging economic the backs of these hardworking Albertans, to recover, but they still haven’t returned to
situations we have faced and we will continue that fight this year.” 1986 levels.
Smith said AUPE negotiators continue Despite that, the myth that Alberta’s pub-
in a generation. We need
to work on their monetary proposals as the lic spending is out of control stubbornly
employers to engage union begins this round of bargaining, but persists. The official Opposition and some
honestly and collaboratively there will also be a focus directed at the lan- right-wing lobby groups continue to repeat
in this process to find new guage contained in collective agreements. “It’s the assertion that Alberta can afford to cut
an important opportunity to bring a host of because we are so inefficient with our pub-
ways to continue providing
other work-related issues to the table, so many lic dollars, spending more than any other
quality services we rely on of which impact our members’ lives at work Canadian province, but research has time
every day. every day,” he added. Collective agreement and again shown that to be false.
language affects everything from job security In fact, according to a report produced
Guy Smith, President and workload to health and safety concerns. recently by the Parkland Institute, Alberta
“The goal is to build stability into the sys- falls among the middle of the pack, with gov-
tem,” said Smith. “That can only be done with ernment expenses totalling just over $10,000
a firm commitment from the government per capita – by comparison, Newfoundland
and other employers that a fairly compen- spends nearly $15,000 per capita. And, in
sated workforce means better quality services Alberta, inflation is the highest of any prov-
provided to the Albertans who depend on ince at 32 per cent, making those services
them daily.” cost more here than they would elsewhere.
And in an economic downturn, it is more What’s more, when Alberta’s public spend-
crucial than ever to safeguard those public ing is measured against the provincial gross
services and ensure they remain available to domestic product (GDP) – a measure accepted
Albertans who rely on them. by most economists – the province falls to the
In the past, Alberta governments have bottom of the pack. Alberta’s public spending
attempted to cut their way back to prosper- amounts to just 13 per cent of the GDP. The
ity, gutting the public service and causing next highest province, Saskatchewan, spends
mass layoffs in the process, while completely the equivalent of 17 per cent of its GDP, while
neglecting public infrastructure, leading the national average is 22 per cent.
to crumbling roads, bridges, hospitals and “Governments are often tempted to silence
schools. their critics by cutting spending in areas like
Ralph Klein’s Progressive Conservative health and infrastructure and education when
government was the worst culprit of this economic times are tough, but the opposite
10 DIRECT IMPACTHERE WE GO AGAIN
As the chorus of calls
for cutbacks grows
louder, it’s a reminder
of the pushback against
the Klein government’s
efforts to slash the public
service in the mid-1990s.
never happens when the economy bounces lective agreements, by empowering the the people who have first-hand knowledge
back and the province is enjoying prosperity,” front lines and providing them with more and experience delivering those services.
Smith said. “Instead, the bare minimum is control over their worksites, including how They know how to do it better.”
maintained until the next economic down- schedules are created and the best practices With increased pressure at the bargaining
turn, when governments attempt to chip for providing services. tables comes increased pressure on AUPE
away at public services even more.” “We need creative solutions for one of the and the union’s resources. It’s why AUPE
But even as demand increases, staffing most challenging economic situations we has increased its staffing levels, particularly
levels are decreasing. There is already dis- have faced in a generation. We need employ- related to Essential Services Agreements.
cussion among AHS executives to begin ers to engage honestly and collaboratively in “It’s true 2017 will be an especially challenging
curtailing workforce hours in an effort to this process to find new ways to continue year for AUPE, but the union is prepared for the
cut costs through yet another ill-conceived, providing quality services we rely on every task and ready to represent all of our members’
short-sighted streamlining effort dubbed day,” Smith said. “It’s important to listen to interests at the bargaining table,” Smith said. <
Operational Best Practice. This new cam-
paign still fails to take into account the
voices, perspectives and, most importantly,
AUPE and AHS sign
experiences of front-line workers.
letters of understanding
In November, AHS and AUPE signed
to protect members
Letters of Understanding ensuring there
will be no loss of full-time equivalencies Following concerns raised last fall by members The letters were signed following discussions
and no reduction in compensation during over layoffs at Alberta Health Services, AUPE with AHS over its restructuring program,
and AHS signed Letters of Understanding that dubbed Operational Best Practice, and the
any restructuring within the system, but the
protect members working in both Auxiliary effects it would have on AUPE members work-
pressure to cut costs is evident. Nursing Care and General Support Services. ing at AHS facilities across Alberta. <
Positions are being left unfilled, and
The letters ensure those members will see
employees are doing more with less, result- no reduction of full-time equivalency or any
ing in a decrease in quality. reduction in their compensation as a result of
Smith says the upcoming collective bar- any restructuring. The letters remain in effect
gaining process will include a focus on the until March 31, 2018.
provision of quality services through col-
DIRECT IMPACT 1112 DIRECT IMPACT
PUBLIC FUNDING,
PRIVATE CARE
Private seniors care operators provide less care, are not as
efficient and are not at all transparent compared to publicly-
run facilities. So why are these private facilities receiving
more and more taxpayer dollars?
A demographic wave has been building for quite some time—Albertans are getting
older and the proportion of those over the age of 85 is steadily growing. But as that
line on the population graph rises, the number of residential care beds available to
Alberta seniors continues to flatline.
“Seniors care workers and family members of residents will tell you that, until you
experience it first-hand, it’s hard to imagine just how difficult it can be,” said AUPE
Vice-President Carrie-Lynn Rusznak. “Our members in seniors care see how hard it
is for family members trying to move a loved one into residential care, and the chal-
lenges they experience advocating for quality, affordable care don’t stop even after
they’ve secured a spot.”
Successive governments have seen this problem building for decades, but too often
Alberta’s seniors care crisis slips down the priority list, lost in the noise of rising and
falling oil prices and other pressing concerns. The temptation is strong to simply offload
the problem, to put some wiggle room between Albertans' expectation that our seniors
will receive quality care and the role of government in ensuring that need is met.
Since the Klein era, the Alberta government has quietly adopted a policy of moving
away from publicly delivered long-term care and toward non-unionized, lower-cost,
privately run seniors care. Between 1999 and 2009, long-term care bed numbers
plummeted while private assisted living (now called supportive living) beds grew
by 187 per cent.
A recent study by the Parkland Institute compared the levels of care provided in
publicly and privately operated (both non-profit and for-profit) facilities. The study
By Merryn Edwards
Communications Staff
DIRECT IMPACT 13compared the different types of facilities
against a recommended benchmark of 4.1
hours of care per day, a standard set by a PRIVATE SENIORS CARE FUNDING
landmark U.S. study as a minimum to limit
TRUE OR FALSE
QUIZ
preventable decline in the health of residents.
Publicly run facilities operated by Alberta
Health Services came closest to meeting this We just have to face the fact
standard at an average of 4.0 care hours per that the crisis in Alberta’s
day, whereas privately operated non-profit
and for-profit facilities averaged only 3.0 and seniors care system is not
3.1 care hours per day respectively. The study going away. Shining a light on 1) Only non-profit seniors care
also found that publicly run facilities were the problems with the uses operators can receive public funding
able to focus more efficiently on providing of public funding by private to cover wages for frontline staff.
care, with less money spent as a proportion 2) Private seniors care operators can
of their overall budgets on administration operators is an important use funding intended for wages for
and more spent on direct care staff. step we need to take to face other purposes, including profit.
These figures beg the question—if Alberta the problem head on. 3) The salaries of private seniors
Health Services can provide more care more care executives at publicly funded
efficiently than private operators, why is the Carrie-Lynn Rusznak, Vice-President facilities are disclosed on Alberta’s
“Sunshine List.”
majority of funding for seniors care being
directed to private operators? Although the 4) Information about the amounts and
workers can make some headway through uses of public funding received by
current NDP government campaigned on
private seniors care operators is
a platform that included a commitment to the negotiations process. Alberta Health publicly available.
creating 2,000 public long-term care beds, Services funds private seniors care facili-
5) Private seniors care operators
Alberta Health Services continued to direct ties, earmarking the portion of that funding
are fighting in court to prevent
funding to private facilities in 2015 and 2016. intended to cover the wages of frontline documentation of their uses of public
“Not only do private facilities offer less workers. Yet AHS does not prevent these funding from becoming public.
care less efficiently, they are also not trans- operators from skimming off some of that
parent about their uses of public funding,” funding to use for other purposes, including challenges.
said AUPE Vice-President Mike Dempsey. retaining it as profit.
yet to be disclosed due to court
operators, but the information has
Private seniors care operators have shown the funding of private seniors care
that they will fight to keep their uses of public that AHS release documents about
funding a secret. In 2014, Alberta’s Privacy
Freedom of Information Request
Commissioner approved AUPE’s
Commissioner granted a Freedom of Informa- 5) TRUE – In 2014, the Privacy
tion Request from AUPE, which ordered AHS for.
to release documentation about how several receive or what they use that funding
private seniors care operators had been using funding private seniors care operators
AHS funding. However, the documents have
information about how much public
4) FALSE –AHS does not publish
Not only do private yet to be made public due to legal challenges and universities.
brought forward by the operators, claiming
facilities offer less care less
other institutions, such as colleges
that making such information public would executive salaries in the same way as
efficiently, they are also not hurt their business interests.
operators do not have to disclose their
transparent about their uses
public funding, private seniors care
“Other agencies and institutions that their operating budgets come from
of public funding. receive public funding are required to be 3) FALSE – Although a huge portion of
more transparent through mechanisms like profit.
Mike Dempsey, Vice-President the so-called ‘Sunshine List’ that reports purposes or retaining part of it as
all salaries over a certain threshold,” said
skimming from this funding for other
they do not prevent operators from
Rusznak. “It’s outrageous that, when it comes cover wages of seniors care staff, but
“Too often it is left to the workers themselves to seniors care, this level of secrecy and lack (AHS) provides funding intended to
in private seniors care facilities to demand of accountability is still permitted.
2) TRUE – Alberta Health Services
some accountability from their employers by “We just have to face the fact that the crisis
provide care.
basis can receive public funding to
forming a union and insisting on respectful in Alberta’s seniors care system is not going on either a for-profit or a non-profit
treatment of both workers and residents alike.” away. Shining a light on the problems with 1) FALSE – Seniors care facilities that run
Uncovering the details of how private the uses of public funding by private opera- Answers:
operators use public funding can be diffi- tors is an important step we need to take to
cult, if not impossible, although unionized face the problem head on.” <
14 DIRECT IMPACTSteward Notes VOL. 10 • ISSUE 1 • WINTER 2017
sn
Health workers
Influenza or “the flu” is a highly contagious
viral infection of the airways. It is referred
to as “seasonal” influenza because these
and workplace viruses circulate annually in the winter
season in the northern hemisphere.
influenza policy
The timing and length of an influenza
season varies from year to year. Outbreaks
can happen as early as October, but most
often activity peaks in January or later.
Union Stewards can encourage members to be Outbreaks occurring in April and even
vaccinated, but you should also be prepared to support May are also not uncommon.
health care workers who aren't vaccinated in the event of Those infected with influenza can spread
an outbreak at their worksite. the disease to others before they experience
signs or symptoms of the illness themselves.
Some can be infected but experience no
symptoms and still spread the virus to
By Mary Kehoe others. This is important to recognize,
Senior MSO Adviser especially by those in caretaking positions,
such as parents and health care workers.
STEWARD NOTES 1sn
AUPE encourages all members to get to develop the required immunity. Workers can help encourage your members to be
an influenza vaccination if they can safely can continue to work during the outbreak vaccinated, but also work with those who
do so, but making flu shots mandatory for in these circumstances. choose not to be vaccinated to minimize
workers is a serious intrusion on their free- A non-immunized worker may also potential problems and understand their
doms and personal autonomy. Although choose to begin the Tamiflu medication rights in the event of an outbreak. <
employers cannot force workers to receive and not receive the influenza vaccine. They
vaccinations, a Labour Board decision in an must, however, continue to take the medi-
AUPE/Carewest case in 2000 did uphold cation for the duration of the outbreak in
employers’ rights to implement certain poli- order to be allowed to continue working
Flu Facts
cies in the event of an influenza outbreak. throughout its duration. If there should be Vaccines are available free to any
Albertan six months and older.
Health care facilities will implement a later outbreak, the worker would once
outbreak control and infections policies again be required to begin the oral medi- More than 1.1 million vaccines were
administered during last year’s flu
when an influenza outbreak is reported. cation and continue it for the duration of
season.
The Medical Officer of Health will deter- the outbreak, as the individual would not
mine if an outbreak has occurred and will have developed immunity to the virus. More than 5,300 cases of lab-
confirmed flu were recorded last year.
issue the following directives for non- If the worker chooses neither of these
immunized workers. options, the employer will exclude them Of those, 1,698 Albertans were
hospitalized with the flu in six months.
Workers who have not already been from working in the affected unit or facil-
vaccinated can opt to receive the influ- ity and redeploy them to uninfected areas Roughly 61 per cent of Alberta Health
Services employees were vaccinated
enza vaccine immediately and begin an if possible. If this is not possible, they will
during the 2015/16 season.
oral antiviral medication, typically one be placed on an unpaid leave of absence or,
Flu causes more emergency room
called Tamiflu, and continue to take the in some cases, be allowed to access vaca-
visits in the province than strokes.
oral medication for two weeks, or until tion time for the duration of the outbreak.
the outbreak is declared over by the Medi- Union Stewards can play an important Flu was confirmed in 62 Alberta
deaths in the 2015/16 season.
cal Officer of Health. After receiving the role in helping their members to understand
influenza vaccination, it takes two weeks workplace influenza prevention policy. You
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 NOTESsn
Union Democracy in Action
AGM Elections
By Merryn Edwards Locals and chapters elect the
Communications Staff following positions at their AGMs:
• The chair supervises the component’s
activities and should become familiar
Most AUPE locals and chapters will hold their Annual General Meetings (AGMs) between with the activities of AUPE overall.
January and May. Union Stewards can help members to understand the importance of She calls membership and executive
these meetings and encourage them to make their voices heard. meetings and assigns duties to the
Your local or chapter AGM is an opportunity to elect your AUPE representatives to speak vice-chair as required.
for your interests. AGMs are also a chance to meet other members, find out what your union • The vice-chair assists the chair with
is up to and learn how to get involved. his duties and may act as chair when
For members who have never attended a union meeting, a personal invitation from a requested.
Union Steward can go a long way. Try to take the time to reach out to as many members • The secretary records accurate
as possible to encourage them to attend their AGM and let them know what to expect. minutes of all meetings and maintains
all books, records and minutes.
One of the most important activities at AGMs is the election of the local or chapter
executive and other representatives. In some cases, nominations can be made ahead of • The treasurer controls all financial
time. If you are not sure about the nomination procedure, get in touch with the compo- and accounting documents and
records. Locals and chapters may
nent executive. choose to combine the duties of
In addition to inviting members to attend their AGMs and help elect their representa- the secretary and treasurer into a
tives, Union Stewards can help to encourage members to think about putting themselves secretary-treasurer position.
forward for election. • Convention delegate nominees
Sometimes people will need a lot of encouragement. Don’t give up. The most impor- are also elected by chapters (one
tant thing to communicate is that AGMs are a key way that members can have a vote and nominee for every one hundred
a voice in their union. < members) to attend AUPE’s annual
Convention. Locals elect the
delegates from the pool of nominees
elected at the chapter level. Locals
without chapters skip the nominee
stage and elect Convention delegates
directly.
• Area council representatives are
also elected at the chapter level as
Become
well as in locals without chapters.
These representatives work within
a Union
their geographical area to promote
the social and general welfare of the
membership through activities such
Steward as Christmas celebrations, barbeques
and other social events, as well as
discounted movie passes or other
great deals.
• Local council representatives and
Learn new skills, support your co-workers and help strengthen your alternates in the case of chapters, and
provincial executive representatives
union by becoming a Union Steward. Start by enrolling in the pre-
and alternates in the case of locals
requisite courses, including Introduction to your Union, Contract are also elected to represent the
Interpretation, Introduction to Occupational Health and Safety and membership at the next level of
Basic Conflict Management. If you like what you have learned in those AUPE’s organization.
courses, you are ready to sign up for Foundations for Union Stewards. • Occupational health and safety
liaisons (elected by locals) focus
Prerequisite courses and Foundations for Union Stewards are offered
on the OHS concerns of their
at various AUPE offices from September to June. Check www.aupe. membership and also report to the
org/training/ for registration information. AUPE OHS Standing Committee.
For more information or to enrol, call the Member Resource Centre • Bargaining committee representatives
at 1-800-232-7284. may also be elected at the chapter or
local level if the collective agreement
is up for renegotiation.
STEWARD NOTES 3sn
DID YOWU
Steward Notes is published by the Alberta
Union of Provincial Employees to provide
KNO
information of interest to AUPE Union
A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE
NEW ONLINE REGISTRATION PROCEDURE 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
AUPE strives to empower its members through knowledge, the editor.
offering a full slate of courses to help achieve this goal. A new
online registration system rolled out last year makes signing up President
Guy Smith
for education courses easier then ever. Here’s a quick look at
some of the functions that make online registration a breeze. Executive Secretary-Treasurer
Jason Heistad
Vice-Presidents
Mike Dempsey
Bonnie Gostola
THE NEW ONLINE REGISTRATION Carrie-Lynn Rusznak
Glen Scott
Susan Slade
Enables you to register yourself in AUPE courses Karen Weiers
through the AUPE website Executive Director
•
Walks you through registering for courses and
Carl Soderstrom
Managing Editor
ensuring appropriate prerequisites Desiree Schell
•
Counts down the number of spaces
Editor
Merryn Edwards
Contributor
left in a course Merryn Edwards
•
Keeps track of your course registrations
Mary Kehoe
Design
•
Allows for automatic waitlists
Jon Olsen
•
Notifies you of new courses in your area
The goal of Steward Notes is to help
today’s AUPE Union Stewards do their
•
jobs effectively. To help us, we encourage
readers to submit story ideas that deserve
Contains your education history exposure.
•
Stores copies of all AUPE Education certificates
Story suggestions for Steward Notes may
be submitted for consideration to Merryn
Edwards by e-mail at m.edwards@aupe.
org. Please include names and contact
information for yourself and potential
story sources.
ONLINE REGISTRATION AT A GLANCE
Alberta Union of
Provincial Employees
Sign in to the online registration system available at 10451 - 170 Street NW
www.aupe.org/training/ using your member number Edmonton, AB T5P 4S7
•
Select a course and date (the system will ensure you meet
T: 1-800-232-7284
F: (780) 930-3392
the necessary prerequisites) info@aupe.org
• www.aupe.org
Receive an acceptance email a few weeks prior to the course
•
Confirm your attendance and attend the course
4 STEWARD NOTESTHIS IS AUPE YOUR WORKING PEOPLE
Protecting Alberta’s wilderness, ensuring the safety of all who
use it and stewarding our natural resources - it’s all in a day’s
work for members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees.
www.aupe.org • facebook.com/yourAUPE • @_AUPE_
DIRECT IMPACT 15LABOUR NEWS
A Warm Welcome
40th Convention sees election of newest VP, Bonnie Gostola
The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees’ Hospital. She became the Local 045 Chair in
annual Convention was held in mid-October 2014 after serving as a Local Council Rep-
at the Shaw Conference Centre in down- resentative for several years. Fifteen years
town Edmonton and saw more than 1,100 ago she became actively involved in AUPE,
delegates, executive, staff, media and guests taking on roles first at the chapter level, then
come together to celebrate the 40th birthday at the local level and recently the provincial
of Alberta’s largest union. level on the Legislative Standing Committee, I’m looking forward to
One of the most exciting elements of Con- and as a liaison with the Centennial Com-
advocating for AUPE
vention was the byelection to replace longtime mittee. She began taking AUPE’s education
vice-president Erez Raz, who stepped down courses and learned how to be an effective membership in my new role.
to take an occupational health and safety union activist. Thank you for trusting me
representative position at AUPE headquar- Gostola comes from a labour background. with this responsibility.
ters in Edmonton. Her father was a union member and her
The byelection was the first order of business uncles and grandfather were unionized sugar Bonnie Gostola, Vice-President
on Friday morning with eight candidates on the beet factory workers in southern Alberta.
ballot. After an exciting four rounds of voting, Her great grandfather was a unionized coal
delegates elected Local 045 member Bonnie miner in Lethbridge. She was raised on the She is excited to begin her journey in the
Gostola as AUPE’s newest vice-president. farm and learned her strong work ethic from demanding role as an AUPE vice-president
“I’m looking forward to advocating for that upbringing. and would like to remind members, “together
AUPE membership in my new role. Thank She is married to husband Lorne Ryan and we make the union strong.”
you for trusting me with this responsibil- has one son, Logan, and three grandchildren, Gostola joins President Guy Smith, Executive
ity,” Gostola told the union shortly after Isaac, Reagen and Kaiden. She has a long-time Secretary-Treasurer Jason Heistad and fellow
her election. connection with Softball Alberta and Soft- Vice-Presidents Carrie-Lynn Rusznak, Susan
For 29 years Gostola has worked as a health ball Canada, both as a player and an umpire. Slade, Karen Weiers, Glen Scott and Mike
care aide in long-term care at the High River Bonnie is an avid golfer and loves to camp. Dempsey on the Executive Committee. <
16 DIRECT IMPACTLABOUR NEWS
Stepping Up Safety
AUPE adds capacity to help members stay safe and manage recovery
Occupational health and safety has been Raz, who chaired AUPE’s Occupational
one of AUPE’s main focuses since its incep- Health and Safety committee for seven years
Rolyn Sumlak Awards
tion. For 40 years, AUPE has educated and as a vice-president, says awareness about OHS AUPE’s Occupational Health and Safety
empowered members, advocated for those issues has increased. “Things like psycho- (OHS) Standing Committee honoured
Marjorie Hooker and Roy Jackman for
who have been injured or who have long- or logical injuries, short-staffing, and workplace their commitment to workplace safety
short-term disabilities, and worked together violence are on members’ radar more, and with the Rolyn Sumlak award.
with employers and members to ensure they’re asking for the union’s help to resolve
everyone’s safety at work. those issues.”
AUPE’s so-called OWL department han- “Providing seamless support is vital to
dles all occupational health and safety (O), increasing safety on the worksite,” said
workers’ compensation board (W), and Griffith, who came from Local 003 to join
long-term disability (L) issues for AUPE’s AUPE’s staff as a membership services offi-
90,000 members. The department started cer in 2008. “If I had been able to take the
with Dennis Malayko in 1977, and increased courses that we have now back when I was
in the 1990s to four staff members. Since on my site’s OHS committee, I would have
then, however, AUPE’s membership has been a far more effective advocate. I’m look-
doubled in size, and cases are only increas- ing forward to working with our members
ing in complexity. to empower them as advocates.”
“There have also been some big changes Another reason for the staff increase is suc-
recently,” said Malayko. “We’re full-time cession planning, as Malayko plans to retire
partners on many OHS committees among in early 2018 after over 40 years in his role. The award, named for an AUPE member
our larger employers, rather than the piece- “There is a lot of information I want to who was killed on the job while working
for the provincial government, recog-
meal representation we had before. We’ve pass on,” said Malayko. “There have been
nizes members who show dedication
also seen a huge increase in issue reporting ups and downs, but every step we’ve taken to health and safety advocacy.
as a result of our online OHS issue report- has been towards helping people stay safe
Hooker, a Local 054 member who works
ing form. All of this meant that we really and get help when they need it. I’m going in housekeeping at Edmonton’s Cross
needed more capacity.” to miss it, but it’s time to pass the torch.” < Cancer Institute, advocated for new
As of fall 2016, three new union represen- measures to protect support workers
tatives have been hired for the department. exposed to cytotoxins, which may be
present in the bodily fluids of cancer
Trevor Hansen and Erez Raz will work out
patients undergoing radiation therapy.
of Edmonton, while Diana Griffith will be Report worksite health and
Jackman, a Local 003 member and Cor-
based in AUPE’s Calgary office. They will be safety problems to AUPE
rectional Peace Officer at the Edmonton
participating in all aspects of the advocacy the using our online Health and
Remand Centre, is a longtime activist
department does for members, from safety Safety Reporting form. Using
who helps inform members about their
this form helps us track
issues to working on disability appeals to right to refuse unsafe work.
trends in health and safety
helping members through the WCB process. issues, and also allows us to Rather than being handed out at
“This is some of the most important work begin advocating on your Convention, next year’s award will be
the union does,” said Hansen, who has been behalf quickly and efficiently. presented during AUPE’s ceremony
with AUPE since 2011 as a membership ser- Your report is emailed for the National Day of Mourning for
directly to representatives workers killed or injured on the job.
vices officer. “Educating our members and Applications for 2017 recipients must
in our OWL department
advocating for their safety and health have and the OHS Standing be received by AUPE’s OHS committee
huge impacts, not just at an individual level, Committee chair. Go to by the first week of March. <
but for other members at the worksite, resi- www.aupe.org/hsreporting/
dents and clients, and Albertans as a whole.”
DIRECT IMPACT 17MEMBER
PROFILE
Dama Diriye Helping people in her community is simply
a fact of life for Dama Diriye.
As a settlement worker in the provincial
Part of Diriye’s work also includes design-
ing important programs to help newcomer
students succeed at school by overcoming
Local 118/021
capital, working in schools and libraries, it’s cultural and language barriers.
Edmonton Immigrant Services Association
what she does every day. Her contributions to Edmonton’s com-
So Diriye was surprised to learn her efforts munity have become even more important
made her one of six women presented with in the last year as thousands of refugees flee-
the 2016 Daughter of the Year award during ing the war in Syria have made Canada and
a ceremony held at City Hall in Edmonton. Edmonton their new home.
Diriye is an employee of the Edmonton Diriye says all of her efforts come with the
Immigrant Services Association and a mem- territory as an employee of Edmonton Immi-
ber of Local 118/021. grant Services Association. She was surprised
Throughout her five years with the Associa- to learn she’d been nominated for an award.
tion, Diriye has found great satisfaction and “I wasn’t expecting it at all. It was really
meaning in helping immigrants and other great,” Diriye says. “It feels good to know my
newcomers to Canada access resources and work is making an impact, that I am doing
navigate their way through a foreign system good work in the community.
and culture. “It’s a great honour.”
Her work takes her into public schools in Daughter’s Day was first marked in Edmon-
Edmonton, including Queen Elizabeth High ton in 2012 to celebrate the importance,
School, along with public library branches, achievements and contributions of daugh-
which she notes are important resources for ters as part of efforts to end gender-based
newcomers who may not otherwise have discrimination against women and girls all
access to the services they provide. over the world. <
18 DIRECT IMPACTLABOUR NEWS
Photo courtesy of Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
Blast from
the Past
1966 time capsule built by
AUPE’s predecessor opened
during SAIT centennial
When the Southern Alberta Institute of
Technology in Calgary held its centennial
celebration last October, it literally dug up
the earth to find some of its figurative roots.
The festivities, held in mid-October,
included a giant cake, fireworks and – most
compelling – the opening of a time capsule Above: Dignitaries unveil the commemorative
plaque at the placing of the time capsule in 1966.
planted on SAIT grounds 50 years ago by Right: Retired CSAA member Merv Parker. Parker
members of the Civil Service Association of helped build the time capsule and was on hand to
watch its unsealing.
Alberta, the precursor to the Alberta Union
of Provincial Employees.
“What an exciting day it was to see this
time capsule that was built by our sisters and SAIT on the cover, a recording from SAIT’s
brothers a half century ago unveiled right president at the time and various letters and While CSAA members were filling and
newspaper clippings of the era, all immacu- burying their time capsule the rest of
lately preserved. the world kept moving along. Here
are some other exciting things that
But the most intriguing part of the time
happened in 1966.
capsule’s history wasn’t in the box, but rather,
in the audience.
Merv Parker, who watched the unveiling, Cowboys & Aliens Frontier drama
was Chapter Chair of his CSAA Branch. He Bonanza was the most popular show
was in the metals department and was one on TV, while Star Trek made its maiden
The members who built of the members who designed and built the voyage into popular culture.
this [time capsule] were box that would be put in the ground and dug Technicolor Canada CBC began
up 50 years later. broadcasting in colour, a first for
the same ones who helped Canada.
“The time capsule idea came to us in the
make SAIT the celebrated metals department. They needed a box so Passing of a Legend Walt Disney died
institution it is today. we designed and built the box. We put it all on Dec. 15.
together then we sealed it, and here it is. It’s Securing the Future The Canada
Karen Weiers, Vice-President Pension Plan was created.
really something.”
Parker said his time with the CSAA was Habs Win! Habs Win! The Montreal
before our eyes,” said AUPE Vice-President rewarding. Canadiens won the Stanley Cup.
Karen Weiers, who attended the ceremony. “I had a great job, with a lot of great people. The Boys from Liverpool The Beatles
“The members who built this were the I got to attend CSAA conventions and learn released Revolver.
same ones who helped make SAIT the cel- about all the things my union did for me.” Muscled Up Ford sold about 550,000
ebrated institution it is today.” Both Vice-President Weiers and SAIT Mustangs, making it the most popular
Among the items retrieved from the time car that year.
Local 039 Chair Rose Read thanked Parker
capsule were a phone book from 1966 with for his service as a teacher and member. <
DIRECT IMPACT 19LABOUR NEWS
Celebrating 40 Years of Activism
AUPE’s Centennial Committee put the finish- marks the formation of AUPE’s predecessor,
ing touches on its first year of programming the Civil Service Association of Alberta. The
at this year’s annual Convention, where the project’s main objective in 2017 is to develop
fruits of months of labour were put on display. the educational and promotional material for
The highlight for the committee was helping the Centennial and to help give members a
Convention delegates celebrate AUPE’s 40th deeper understanding and appreciation for
anniversary by creating a series of illustrated the history of their union and the broader
displays that provided a vivid overview of legacy of working class history in Alberta
the union’s formation and growth over the and Canada. <
decades. Union and labour artefacts, some
dating back all the way to 1921, were included
in several informative displays. Over 1,100
delegates learned about AUPE’s unique and
Voices in Action
exciting history. Labour School an opportunity
“I am very proud of all the Centennial to build skills and meet other
Project volunteers who came together to union activists
help us celebrate our 40th anniversary and I am very proud of all the
was pleased to see hundreds of delegates Centennial Project volunteers Experience, training and education are
interacting with our educational displays who came together to the foundations for becoming a confi-
at Convention,” said Vice-President Glen dent union activist. That’s why AUPE is
help us celebrate our 40th proud to provide in-depth education
Scott, who chairs the Centennial Committee.
The Centennial Project is shifting pro- anniversary. through our annual Labour School. This
spring at the Banff Centre from March
gramming to focus exclusively on AUPE’s Glen Scott, Vice-President & 26 to 30, Labour School will provide
100th anniversary in 2019. That anniversary Centennial Committee Chair extensive training and skill develop-
ment for union leaders, activists, staff,
and rank and file members. Out of 448
applicants, 250 members will attend
courses and gain valuable leadership
skills. Labour School’s 2017 slate will
feature courses on inclusion, mutual
respect, leadership essentials, talking
union, advanced occupational health
and safety, and arts in labour history.
Labour School is also an opportu-
nity for members to connect with
other union leaders and build life-
long relationships. Evening activities
will integrate knowledge learned
With AUPE's 40th anniversary behind us, it's time throughout the day while providing
to turn our gaze toward the union's centennial opportunities to socialize and network.
milestone in 2019, marking the creation of its President Guy Smith and his band are
predecessor, the Civil Service Association of Alberta. this year’s featured entertainment as
A lot has changed in Alberta over the past 100 they perform original songs inspired
years, but many other things - including the by the working history of AUPE.
important role a union plays in the lives of ordinary Education leads to knowledge, and
working people - have survived the test of time. knowledge is power – union power.
AUPE's Centennial Committee is hard at work AUPE members build the union’s
preparing to bring AUPE's 100-year history to life strength and solidarity. When work-
through first-hand accounts from current and past ers take action together they can
members, along with interactive features, displays overcome any challenge and make
and celebrations over the next three years. real change. <
For more information visit www.aupe2019.com
20 DIRECT IMPACTLABOUR NEWS
Sunshine & Solidarity
AUPE to launch summer camp for members' children
It will be a classic Canadian summer camp “Our children are the citizens of the future,
experience – four days of fun activities, dirty and the lessons they learn now are impor-
hands, new friends, and exciting challenges tant to the kind of future we want to see,”
– and it’s available absolutely free to 66 chil- said Slade.
dren of AUPE members this summer. Camp AUPE will take place Aug. 27 to
“AUPE’s Women’s Committee is proud Sept. 1, 2017. Any child of an AUPE member
to pilot this program this summer,” said between the ages of 11 and 14 is eligible to
Vice-President Susan Slade, who chairs the apply to attend. One boy and one girl from
committee. “This is just another way that each of AUPE’s 33 locals will be chosen by
AUPE can give back to the members who completely random selection; every applicant
give so much in the service of Albertans.” has an equal chance of attending.
From the beginning, Camp AUPE will be an “Safety is our top priority for the camp,” This is just another way that
exciting and educational experience for youth. said Slade. “In addition to background checks AUPE can give back to the
Busses will collect campers from all corners of for all staff, we are committed to ensuring members who give so much in
the province and bring them to the Goldeye that, even though some of the activities
Conference Centre in Nordegg. From there, might be challenging, everyone’s safety is
the service of Albertans.
they will take part in four full days of outdoor our first concern.” Susan Slade, Vice-President
and indoor group activities like canoeing, field Applications for the camp will open on
sports, and arts and crafts, all while learn- Feb. 1 through AUPE Education’s online reg-
ing about the power of collective action, the istration system. Go to www.campaupe.com
importance of leadership abilities, how to be for more details, and to put in your child’s
inclusive and understanding and why unions application. <
and public services matter in today’s world.
DIRECT IMPACT 21LABOUR NEWS
Get DI on your
computer or
mobile device!
Always Be Prepared
AUPE encourages members to look ahead by providing pension training AUPE is pleased to offer
In September and November, pension training LAPP and PSPP training sessions to mem- Direct Impact online or
was provided to Alberta Union of Provin- bers in Edmonton, Calgary and Lethbridge. on your mobile device.
cial Employees members who are part of At Convention in October, members
expressed how helpful the sessions were
the Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP)
and highlighted that the content provided
For mobile
and the Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP).
Employees of local authorities are members greater insight into their pensions. < Download the free Issuu
of LAPP. These include health authorities, app and search “AUPE”
cities, towns, villages, municipal districts,
colleges, school boards and many other Or go online
public-sector organizations. PSPP is a ben-
Visit issuu.com and
efit plan for employees of the government
of Alberta, its outside boards, agencies and search “AUPE”
commissions and other public bodies.
“The union has a role to play in being pro-
The union has a role to
active and educating our members to prepare
for retirement,” said Jason Heistad, AUPE’s
executive secretary-treasurer.
play in being proactive and
educating our members
It’s that easy!
“Members benefit when they’re informed to prepare for retirement.
and know their rights. It’s important members Members benefit when
know the facts so they can make informed
they’re informed and know
decisions for their retirement, and that’s what
these sessions aimed to do,” he said. their rights.
AUPE, along with the Alberta Pension Jason Heistad,
Services Corporation (APSC), offered pilot Executive Secretary-Treasurer
22 DIRECT IMPACTYou can also read
