UCP majority means Alberta workers must unite to defend just and equal future

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Edmonton – Unifor pledges to continue building progressive organizing in Alberta following the election of a majority United Conservative Party (UCP) government. “Through a difficult and heated election, voters made it clear that they were worried about the future of good jobs for Albertans,” said Unifor President Jerry Dias. “If implemented, Jason Kenney’s plan will threaten good jobs in the energy sector and will mean outright cuts to public sector jobs in education and healthcare. It’s up to all Albertans to watch this next government closely and defend good jobs across the province, in the private and public sector.” The UCP won a majority of seats in the 2019 election, and will form the next provincial government, with leader Jason Kenney as the Premier-elect. Members of Unifor expressed deep concern over the UCP’s backwards view of Alberta’s energy sector over the last four weeks of the campaign. “Kenney has no plan for the long term viability of the energy sector, despite the fact the world is changing and the industry must decarbonize and diversify in order to compete,” said Joie Warnock, Unifor Western Regional Director. Across the province, Unifor members engaged in member-to-member organizing to talk about issues facing working people in the election, and the gains that needed to be defended. “Working people made significant gains under the previous NDP government. Unifor will ensure that the next government understands that these rights are not up for debate,” said Dias. “I commend every member who went out and had important political conversations in this election. The rights of working people, from a fair minimum wage to LGBTQ equity, are battles that we must continue to fight each and every day.” Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector and represents 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future. For more information, please contact Unifor National Communications Representative: @email or (604) 388-4398.