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Come out today in Calgary or Edmonton to voice your concern over Alberta govenrment's new anti-public service legislation. If you can't make it, let your MLA know how you feel.
Edmonton (02 Dec. 2013) - Two public allies will be held today, December 2, to continue to voice outrage at the imposition of legislation severely restricting workers' rights in the public service and health care across Alberta.
Alberta Conservatives have introduced legislation attacking free collective bargaining and the right to strike
Workers have already been battling government attacks on workplace pensions and are now faced with equally devastating legislation.
Allison Redford's PC government tabled two bills that hit directly at public service unions. One is Bill 46, the Public Service Salary Restraint Act, which circumvents the legal bargaining process and imposes a settlement. While this particular Act specifically targets members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE), the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA/NUPGE) knows that the same sort of legislation will be imposed on its members should they have to apply for interest arbitration.
The second Act is Bill 45, the Public Sector Service Continuation Act, which HSAA/NUPGE legal counsel says is a threat to the very existence. The definition of what constitutes a strike is so broad that even musing about job action OF ANY SORT puts us in jeopardy of having multi-million-dollar fines per day being handed out to us.
Edmonton and Calgary organize protests to voice concerns about Bill 45 and Bill 46
Another rally will be held on the steps of the Legislature in Edmonton on Monday, December 2 at 4:45 p.m. to show the Redford Conservatives that workers will not let this legislation pass without a fight.
There will also be a rally [Kill the Bill(s)!] in Calgary on December 2 at 6:30 p.m., at the McDougall Centre (455 - 6 Street SW).
Government to ram through debate
The government is acting quickly to ram through debate in the Legislature beginning December 2. Members of the public will be filling the gallery and rotunda at every stage of the debate to ensure the government sees the faces of the people the legislation is hurting. Not only will this legislation impact dedicated public service workers but it will create a combative labour relations environment that will undoubtedly have an impact on the public.
People are also being encouraged to contact their Member of the Legislative Assembly to voice their displeasure with this attack on public services and public service workers.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE