File photo of an AUPE rally in downtown Lethbridge on March 2, 2023. AUPE members plan to hold rallies outside of provincial buildings in Alberta on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo: LNN)

By Sarah Jones

Alberta Union of Provincial Employees plan to rally on International Workers Day

Apr 28, 2023 | 11:11 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) plan to rally across the province on Monday, May 1, 2023.

An AUPE news release noted the rallies will be aimed at protesting chronic short-staffing and deteriorating working conditions in Alberta. Monday marks International Workers Day, which is also known as May Day.

AUPE Vice-President Bonnie Gostola, who chairs the union’s Occupational Health and Safety committee said, “Working short is a crisis that costs us all. Working short is a burden on front-line workers as well as the Albertans who depend on the services those workers provide.”

Gostola added, “Most AUPE members can trace their deteriorated working conditions to political choices made by the Alberta government, past and present. There is no better way to voice our frustration than kicking off an election period with a protest on International Workers’ Day.”

It is widely expected that Alberta Premier and UCP leader Danielle Smith will call the provincial election on Monday, May 1.

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A recent AUPE survey heard from over 4,000 members. It found that approximately 40 per cent of members report working without breaks and 25 per cent report working through their lunches.

Gostola said, “Employers and bosses across the province are taking advantage of their workers, union and non-union alike.”

“Employers take advantage of us because we care, because we’re dedicated to the work we do, but that is not healthy or sustainable long-term. Chronic short-staffing has to stop.”

Rallies will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at provincial buildings across the province, including in Lethbridge, Calgary, Red Deer, and Edmonton.

AUPE is Western Canada’s largest union, with over 95,000 members.

Read more at LethbridgeNewsNow.com