Close to 200 delegates at CUPE convention in Grande Prairie

Mar 14, 2018 | 1:41 PM

Around 200 delegates from around Alberta have gathered in Grande Prairie for the Canadian Union of Public Employees convention.

CUPE Alberta Division President Marle Roberts says the delegates will be discussing a number of things, one of them being new health and safety legislation.

“And how progressive it is for all workers in Alberta. We’ll be talking about pensions. We are actually, and have been for 20-plus years, asking the government for joint governance of our pension plan where the stakeholders, being the employee and the employer actually have a say in regard to our pension plans.”

She adds unions also want to make sure people are protected from harassment and violence in the workplace.

“We have violence in the workplace campaigns. It’s a kick-off or our campaign, which will actually highlight assisting members on what they need to do and who they can reach out to to help them.”

Roberts says they will also talk about the lack of long-term care beds in Alberta and attempts to keep public services from being privatized. Resolutions passed at the convention will then be used to lobby the government.

“After resolutions are passed, it’s direction given to the division executive and we lobby the government and we work in the interest of not just CUPE and union members, but a lot of them cover working Albertans,” adds Roberts.

The convention started today and will run through Friday. Alberta Premier Rachel Notley is scheduled to speak to the delegates on the final day.

by Curtis Galbraith