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Unifor local leadership from across Alberta met in Calgary on October 27, 2022 to meet the new national elected officers and have an extensive strategy discussion about the months ahead.
Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle led off the day’s discussions with remarks that focused on the United Conservative Party’s record in office: “Instead of getting real about jobs, instead of picking fights and blaming others, and instead of involving workers in the recovery, we have witnessed more of the divide and rule to cover up for malice toward workers and incompetence in governing us all.
“From free speech, to bargaining rights, to workplace health and safety, laws in Alberta are being tilted against workers and making employers more powerful than ever.”
National President Lana Payne followed, discussing the challenges raised by McGarrigle and provided examples of worker-led victories that should be reasons to be hopeful about Unifor’s upcoming election campaign.
“Across Canada, we have bargained historic wage increases, dismantling two-tiering clauses that have been so destructive to solidarity in our workplaces. We have even made improvements to pension plans. And recently in Fort McMurray, 707A won full-time status for 300 temporary employees,” said Payne.
“This is the moment we are in and like any moment, we need to make sure we take advantage of it. But it is no longer enough to hold on to the rights we have, we must demand stronger union rights, anti-scab legislation, and expanded collective bargaining rights, so no worker gets left behind.”
National Secretary-Treasurer Len Poirier was also in attendance, and used his remarks to emphasize important organizational and policy changes that the elected officers were leading. “We are looking at all regions, and our servicing and support staff while re-evaluating. And in some places re-assigning staff, all with a goal of providing better servicing to local unions… This process has highlighted that more changes need to happen and in some locations, more staff maybe required to achieve our goals.”
During an open session, local leadership raised the need to continue expanding union education in the west, especially for shorter courses that don’t merit a trip all the way to Port Elgin. Members also discussed servicing and the need to overcome divisions that may have arisen during the recent convention’s election.
In the afternoon, Alberta Federation of Labour President Gil McGowan spoke to participants about developments in the AFL’s Workers Demand Better campaign for the next Alberta election, expected in spring 2023. He said the campaign would not feed into the more sensationalist distractions, such as Premier Smith’s public fights with the federal government, but instead would raise the profile of how important economic policies are hurting workers.
Unifor local leaders later heard from Calgary MLA Joe Ceci about the Alberta NDP’s commitment, should it form government in 2023, to reverse the suite of anti-worker legislation that the UCP government rammed through during the height of the pandemic.
Before adjourning for the day, Unifor members discussed campaigning tactics and effective volunteer recruitment for the next provincial election. At its conclusion, Payne announced the appointment of Steve Kerrigan to the newly created position of Alberta Area Director.
