Winter 2012

CUPE members step up to run in provincial election

problems in ’s long term care system. She’s quick to point out that as the government for the last forty years, the Conservatives have a lot to answer for.

“Before the last election, the Conser­ vatives promised to create 800 new long term care spaces,” said Singh. “They’ve created none. They’ve done little to nothing to improve staffing ratios, turnover, and the high cost of care.”

And while the NDP has historically done poorly in previous elections, all three CUPE candidates are optimistic that things are changing.

“Polls have shown the NDP at almost double the share of the vote it received in the last election,” said Seelinger. “Here in Red Deer – the response Red Deer North NDP candidate Derek Seelinger (centre) with NDP MLA (front, second from the right) and a group to our campaign has been terrific. of supporters. Seelinger is running an energetic campaign and promises to surprise people on election night. People are excited that they have an alternative to support.” Three CUPE members and two indivi­ All five candidates are running for NDP MLAs elected in the upcoming duals with strong CUPE connections the Alberta NDP. election. Scott pointed out that even a small have taken the plunge to run for increase in the number of NDP MLAs political office in the upcoming Scott and Singh are no strangers to “Right now, working people have elected will bring benefits to regular Alberta Provincial Election. politics; both ran in the recent federal two NDP MLAs sticking up for us Alberta families. election. But for Derek Seelinger, it’s in a legislature of 83,” said Scott. Mike Scott from CUPE 30 will run in a new adventure. “Brian Mason and Rachel Notley “With only two MLAs, the NDP has the riding of Strathcona Sherwood are the only politicians standing up been able to shame the govern­­-ment Park. CUPE 8 member Collette Singh “I felt it was important for CUPE for better long term care, for lower into all kinds of moves that benefit is letting her name stand in members­ to walk the walk,” said electricity prices, and for better regular people. The NDP McCall, and Derek Seelinger from Seelinger. “We’re pretty good at education funding.” spent months pushing for better CUPE 417 is running in Red Deer complaining about how government’s funding for education before the North. Former CUPE 3550 President don’t listen – but it takes more than “That’s not good enough. Things have Conservatives reversed their own Trudy Grebenstein is also running in complaints to change things.” to change – and I’m determined to budget cuts.” Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock, and do what I can to change it.” former CUPE 182 member Regina Scott is a member of the CUPE “If they can do that with two MLAs, Vergara is seeking election in Alberta political action committee As the President of CUPE Local 8, imagine what we can accomplish Calgary Hays. and is committed to getting more Collette Singh has seen firsthand the with ten?” ✿

Why you should vote.

In 2008, former NDP leader Close elections happen though, right? In the same election year that Ray lost his seat in the Alberta Legislature What can anyone do? Martin went down to defeat, fellow by 337 votes. NDP MLA lost the riding of In the contest that saw Martin lose by Calder by an even thinner In his previous term in office, 337 votes, over 20,000 people in the margin of 201 votes. In this case, Martin had developed a reputation riding didn’t bother to go to the polls – almost 19,000 people declined to vote. as the leading advocate for affordable a feeble 34% turnout. The riding turnout was only 37%. housing and rent restrictions at a time when the oil boom was making If only 1.6% of the people who didn’t Eggen was one of the Legislature’s Edmonton an impossible city for vote made it to the polls and voted NDP strongest supporters of the environ­ families to live in. – the Legislature wouldn’t have lost a ment. He was defeated by a Conser­ lifelong advocate for working people. vative MLA who’s only claim to fame The person who defeated him? in four years was when he made A former Conservative MLA from Martin’s result was not a fluke. In comments that young girls should another riding who was so lacklustre, spite of Alberta’s reputation of always learn to smile and be nice to boys in he couldn’t win his own party’s electing Conservatives to massive order to get ahead in life. Former NDP MLA David Eggen lost his nomination in the riding he had served. majorities, the truth is close election riding of Edmonton Calder by 201 votes in He’s gone on to be almost invisible in results and low turnouts are actually What can anyone do? 2008. Almost 19,000 voters failed to cast the Alberta Legislature. quite common in our province. Vote. ✿ a ballot.

Canadian Union of Public Employees • www.cupe.ca • 1 877 YES CUPE • www.alberta.cupe.ca Ten reasons for CUPE members to vote

NDP Leader Brian Mason has a long history of sticking up for middle class families

As organizations, CUPE and CUPE Alberta Alberta NDP has pledged to 6. The Conservative push for energy 2. Alberta has the worst, most have passed convention resolutions to reverse privatization and bring deregulation has been a disaster expensive child care system support the New Democratic Party. more services back in house. for consumers. Electricity and gas in the country. Provinces like bills have skyrocketed. The NDP Quebec and Manitoba have In this year’s provincial election, 8. Alberta has the most anti- will scrap the Conservative de- quality, public child care systems there are excellent reasons for working worker Labour Code and Labour regulation scheme, which makes which cost parents between people to abandon the Conservative Standards in Canada. It is harder the energy companies rich, but $5-$15 per day, a fraction of government and switch to a labour to join a union in Alberta than leaves the rest of us struggling what Albertans are charged. friendly government. Here are 10: almost any other province in to pay our bills. The Conservative government’s Canada. Brian Mason and the solution is more private day care 10. The Conservatives have NDP have pledged to make it 5. The NDP supports an – even though that system has consistently underfunded easier for any worker who wants environmental cleanup program resulted in shortages and very education. Even with the recent to join a union to do so. Among for the oil sands, and an energy expensive fees. Brian Mason’s reversal of budget cuts, our non-unionized workers, Alberta retrofit program that would NDP understands that Alberta schools are still over crowded has the lowest minimum wage create tens of thousands of jobs families need quality care at a and special needs kids still don’t in Canada, even though our for Albertans. The Conservative price they can afford – and that get the support they need. The economy is one of the strongest. government has no such plan. means a public system. Alberta NDP has pledged to lift the freeze on special needs 7. Alberta has the highest rates 4. The Conservatives continue 1. Before the last election, the funding, and provide stable for auto insurance in Western to support the export of raw Conservatives promised that if funding to enact the class size Canada. Albertans pay more for bitumen resources to Texas for elected they would build 800 new recommendations of the 2003 insurance than any other western refining. Instead of exporting the long term care spaces. Learning Commission. province, even though we are raw resources to the south (only insured for less than any other to buy back the finished product) They have built zero. 9. The continued privatization of drivers. The difference is that NDP Leader Brian Mason has health care services has increased the other provinces have public continually called for an end to Instead, they have looked to the expenses and wait times in the auto insurance, which reduces the export of bitumen and more private sector to create ‘assisted health care system. Premier costs for drivers. The Redford government efforts to refine it living’ spaces. Assisted living is Redford has made it clear private government won’t even consider in Alberta. a much lower level of care for a delivery of services will continue public insurance, the NDP is much higher price to the patient and perhaps increase. The promising it. 3. For too long, the Conservatives and their family. So inadequate have been giving away our is the service that most doctors energy resources to big energy won’t release seniors from companies for next to nothing. hospitals unless there is a proper Albertans own the oil and gas long term care space for them that exist beneath our feet, but to go to. This means the hospital the Conservatives sell it to the oil beds are used up (at great companies for a fraction of what expense to the taxpayer) and wait most other energy producers times increase across the system. charge. Albertans are getting such a bad deal on energy royalties, Brian Mason and the Alberta NDP the province is running a deficit have been relentless advocates and has little in the Heritage Trust of building more long term care Fund after decades of energy beds in the province. These beds production – and still our schools provide the care seniors need, at are crowded and hospital wait a cost their families can afford, lines grow. while reducing wait times in hospitals and emergency rooms. The NDP is the only party calling The Conservatives have ignored for a fair share of royalties being those calls and kept building beds used for the services Albertans no one wants or can afford. ✿ need. Conservative government actions have led to skyrocketing bills for electricity, natural gas, car insurance and other necessities of life.

2 Canadian Union of Public Employees • www.cupe.ca • 1 877 YES CUPE • www.alberta.cupe.ca Canadian Union of Public Employees • www.cupe.ca • 1 877 YES CUPE • www.alberta.cupe.ca Highlights from 2011

• CUPE Local 829 and the Medicine • CUPE Alberta sponsored and votes to bring more services moting public services. Hat School Division signed a participated in the ‘Alberta Water in house. historic first contract for approxi­ Futures Tour’ to raise awareness • CUPE Alberta is participating and mately 170 Teaching Assistants about the problems associated • CUPE 474 makes budget presenta­ co-chairing the ‘Kids not cuts’ and Day Care Workers previously with water markets. tion to Edmonton Public School campaign against school cut backs not covered by a union. Board, calling for environmentally to support services. • CUPE made a submission to friendly (and worker safe) custo­ • Edmonton Public School Trustees Alberta’s Minister of Employment dial policies. • CUPE Alberta Aboriginal Council heard presentations from CUPE regarding proposed changes to launch postcard campaign calling in favour of a motion to prevent the Alberta Labour Code. • Four CUPE members and one CUPE on the Federal Government to the advancement of ‘big box’ staff person ran as candidates launch a public enquiry into the day cares on school properties. • CUPE 37 launch a cost share for the NDP in the 2011 Federal high number of murdered and School trustees voted 7-2 in favour campaign to fight privatization Election campaign. One CUPE staff missing aboriginal women. of a limiting rentals to not-for- of services in Calgary parks. person worked for the NDP as the profit childcare only. Several provincial campaign manager. • CUPE Alberta Educational Employ­ trustees noted that the presence • CUPE 30 makes a presentation to ees Committee launched a post­ and research from CUPE helped Edmonton City Council opposing • CUPE Alberta is participating in card campaign looking for better sway their decision to support Mayor Mandel’s plan to privatize ‘Join Together Alberta’ a coalition funding for education, and a stop the motion. snow removal. Council instead of unions and other groups pro­ to cut backs of support services. ✿

Social Justice Quiz, 2011

1. How many deaths are there 8. Over the 28 year history of the average worker’s pay and over reported deaths along the state world-wide each day due to Berlin Wall, 287 people perished 70 times the pay of a four-star border and reports 214 died in poverty and malnutrition? trying to cross it. How many Army general. 2004, 241 in 2005, 216 in 2006, people have died in the last 237 in 2007, and 116 as of July 31, 2. In the US in 1965, CEOs in major 4 years trying to cross the border 3. The World Bank reported in 2008. These numbers do not include companies made 24 times more between Arizona and Mexico? August 2008 that 2.6 billion people the deaths along the California than the average worker. In 1980, consume less than $2 a day. or Texas border. The Border Patrol CEOs made 40 times more than 9. India is ranked second in the reported that 400 people died the average worker. In 2007, CEOs world in gun ownership with 4. World-wide, 1.6 billion people in fiscal 2006-2007, 453 died in earned how many times more 4 guns per 100 people. China do not have electricity. 2.5 billion 2004-2005, and 494 died in than the average worker? is third with 3 firearms per 100 people use wood, charcoal or 2004-2005. people. Which country is first and animal dung for cooking. 3. Based on 2008 statistics, how how many guns do they own? 9. The US is first in gun ownership many people in the world live 5. China has 9 cars for every 1000 world-wide with 90 guns for every on $2 a day or less? 10. What country leads the world in drivers. India has 11 cars for every 100 citizens. Laura MacInnis, “US the incarceration of its citizens? 1000 drivers. The US has 1114 cars most armed country with 90 guns 4. Based on 2008 statistics, how (Based on 2008 stats) for every 1000 drivers. per 100 people.” many people in the world do not have electricity? 6. The grain needed to fill up a SUV 10. The US jails 751 inmates per Answers tank with ethanol could feed a 100,000 people, the highest rate in 5. How many cars does China have hungry person for a year. the world. Russia is second with for every 1000 drivers? India? 1. About 25,000 people die every day 627 per 100,000. England’s rate is The US? of hunger or hunger-related causes, 7. HUD reports nearly 1 in 4 people 151, Germany is 88, and Japan is according to the United Nations. in homeless shelters are children 63. The US has 2.3 million people 6. How much grain is needed to fill Every day, almost 16,000 children 17 or younger. behind bars, more than any country a SUV tank with ethanol? die from hunger-related causes – in the world. one child every five seconds. 8. At least 1268 people have died 7. What percentage of people in along the border of Arizona and This quiz was created from Social Justice homeless shelters are children? 2. Today’s average CEO from a Fortune Mexico since 2004. The Arizona Quiz, 2008 which was published on the 500 company makes 364 times an Daily Star keeps track of the New Green Economy. ✿

The grain needed to fill up a SUV tank with ethanol could feed a hungry person for a year.

Canadian Union of Public Employees • www.cupe.ca • 1 877 YES CUPE • www.alberta.cupe.ca 3 New study dispels myths about public sector pay cupe.ca

OTTAWA – Think public sector workers The small overall “pay premium” of are paid more than the private sector? 0.5 percent for public sector workers, Think again. can be attributed entirely to a smaller pay gap for women in the public sector. According to a new study released by On average, women employed in public CUPE, there is no evidence the pay sector jobs are paid 4.5 percent more of public sector workers in Canada is than women in comparable occupations consistently higher than comparable in the private sector while men in the occupations in the private sector. public sector are paid an average of 5.3 per cent less. Battle of the Wages: Who gets paid more, public or private sector workers “Stronger pay equity rules have reduced analyzes census data at the most de­ the pay gap for women in the public tailed occupational level available. By sector,” said Toby Sanger, the study’s comparing average pay in comparable author. “If public sector wages reflected occupations, the study gives the most the standards of the private sector, accurate snap-shot of how public sector women in the public sector would be workers pay compares to the private paid an average of $1,980 less per year sector. and there would be greater disparities for others as well. Public sector pay “There is wide spread misconception that scales should reflect the broader values public sector workers are paid more than of Canadians.” their private sector counterparts, and this is being used as fuel in unnecessary “The IMF, Conference Board of Canada and unwarranted attacks on public sector and the OECD have all recently raised jobs, wages, benefits and even the most concern that growing inequality is basic rights of public sector workers,” damaging our economic growth. Public said CUPE National President Paul Moist. sector wage scales reduce income “This report clearly dispels this myth inequality, help stabilize the economy and once and for all.” should be a model for the private sector, with decent wages for the lowest paid and While the study shows overall average less excess at the top,” said Sanger. pay is similar, it also found smaller inequities between genders, age groups, The complete report - including detailed regions, and top and lowest income analysis, explanation of methodology A new study confirms what any CUPE member already knows – public sector wages earners in the public sector compared to and recommendations - is available at are not overly high. the private sector. cupe.ca. ✿

CUPE Alberta Catholic School employees join CUPE, Convention sign new contract

The 2012 CUPE Alberta convention Educational Assistants and clerical staff coast,” said Roberts. “They will have the will be held March 21-23 at the at the Fort McMurray Catholic School benefit of experience, resources, and Capri Hotel in Red Deer. Check out District have voted to join the Canadian professional assistance that only CUPE www.alberta.cupe.ca for more details. Union of Public Employees (CUPE). can provide.”

Employees voted by a 67% margin to It took only one month after voting leave their staff association and become to join CUPE before the employees part of CUPE. About 230 employees are were able to complete negotiations affected by the vote. for a new collective agreement with their employer. “I’m pleased these employees have decided they will have better protection The new deal provides an arbitration and a stronger voice within Canada’s process to settle grievances, dues largest union,” said CUPE Alberta deduction, and the confirmation of President Marle Roberts. 4.53% wage increases previously agreed to. Employees voted 97% in favour of The employees joined custodial staff in the deal. the district as part of CUPE Local 2559. With over 7,400 members in the K-12 “An important part of any contract is sector – CUPE represents more school having a way to settle disputes – and this board support staff than any other union. agreement provides that,” said Roberts. “We’ve taken an important first step in Marle Roberts says the employees will “By joining CUPE, these employees join developing a new relationship between have better protection and a stronger a network of K-12 workers from coast to the school district and its support staff.” ✿ voice with CUPE.

CUPE Week The United Leader

Long School The United Leader is produced by the CUPE Alberta Editor: Lou Arab, Communications Representative Newsletter committee: Graphic Design: Jocelyn Renaud, CUPE Communications

May 6-11, 2012 Deborah Stewart Olds College, Olds Alberta Archie Walsh Back issues are available at www.alberta.cupe.ca Kathy Larson Details are available at Sheila Stewart Do you have stories that need to be told? Photos that do the www.alberta.cupe.ca Dee Kibler talking for you? Want to rant in a letter to the editor? Please send your content to Lou Arab ([email protected])

4 Canadian Union of Public Employees • www.cupe.ca • 1 877 YES CUPE • www.alberta.cupe.ca