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Unifor local presidents in Alberta gathered in Calgary on January 25 to share bargaining updates and begin strategizing for the next provincial election.
“Working people mobilized at the grassroots to elect Rachel Notley,” said Joie Warnock, Western Regional Director. “Opposition Leader Jason Kenney is an ideological extremist who would only take Alberta backwards.” The provincial election is currently scheduled for May 2019 but Warnock stressed that the union’s work must begin today.
The NDP government moved swiftly after the 2015 election to ban corporate and union donations, so Warnock emphasized that member-to-member mobilization is more important than ever to keep the government on a progressive track. Unifor’s 2015 election campaign included a member to member campaign, booked-off organizers, canvass events and communications support.
Later in the day, local presidents heard a presentation from Markham Hislop of Energi News on energy sector technology trends and what it means for workers.
“Technology is transforming the global energy system, with important consequences for Canadian workers. In particular, Alberta oil sands labour markets will be adjusting over the next five years as employers and workers figure out which skills are required for the new workplace,” he said.
The leadership meeting in Alberta is part of a series that Warnock is organizing to connect and engage with local presidents. More political action meetings in the Prairie Region are being organized in the spring.
