-

CUPE Response to Government Smear

EDMONTON, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CUPE Alberta President Rory Gill issued the following statement today in response to a news release from two ministers of the Alberta government:

“The outrageous statement posted by the Alberta government today is full of falsehoods and baseless attacks.

The UCP government that repeatedly claims it is not involved in bargaining with education support workers is very quick to comment on the matter and involving itself to an unprecedented level.

Once again, rather than step up to the plate and negotiate a solution to the classroom problems they have caused, the government chooses a smear campaign.

Local 829 in Medicine Hat was put under administration for reasons unrelated to bargaining. The former executive chose to meet with the school district after being informed they were put into administration. Therefore the deal they signed has no force or effect. However, the Administrator will pursue bargaining with that school district until further notice.

The timing of the UCP attack is to draw attention away from five strike votes happening right now, and the release of recent polling data showing UCP supporters don’t even side with the government when it comes to the strike and education issues.

Other falsehoods in the statement:

  • There is no injunction from the Alberta Labour Board preventing picketing. Rather, CUPE and the school district entered into an agreement that picketing would not delay school buses. This is a normal part of the labour board’s role in helping unions and employers reach agreements during labour disputes.
  • “Nurse Next Door” withdrew from offering services to Edmonton Public Schools after claiming they didn’t realize they would be replacing striking workers. Not due to pressure from CUPE.
  • Alberta has the lowest per-capita education funding in Canada. Instead of engaging in smear campaigns, the government should come to the table, and address the issues that their lack of funding has provided.”

Background:

On February 5, 2025, at 9:11 am MST, CUPE Local 829 was placed under administration by CUPE.

On Feb 5, 2025, at about 09:21 am, Local 829 President Sharon Stoltz was informed of the administration.

On Feb 5, 2025, at about 10:00 am, the former bargaining committee signed a proposed memorandum of agreement with the Medicine Hat Public School Division.

“Administration” is a process set out in Article 7.8 of the CUPE Constitution. When a local is placed under Administration, the administrator has immediate authority over the local’s affairs, and all executive members and committees are disbanded.

:clc/COPE491

Contacts

Lou Arab, Communications Representative
780.271.2722

Industry:

Canadian Union of Public Employees

Release Versions
English

Contacts

Lou Arab, Communications Representative
780.271.2722

More News From Canadian Union of Public Employees

New Report: $10aDay Child Care Plan Boosts Ontario GDP by $13.6 Billion, Generating Over $2 Billion in Provincial Revenue for the Ford Government

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As the Ford and Carney governments continue to negotiate a new child care agreement, a new report released today reveals that the expansion of affordable child care services in Ontario has delivered a substantial economic boost to the province, even as the provincial government lags behind national progress in implementing the new national program. The report, authored by economist Dr. Jim Stanford from the Centre for Future Work, finds that Ontario’s GDP in 2024 was $...

“We are breaking under the cuts”: Scarborough hospital workers call on Ford government to increase funding in the face of $36 million deficit

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--2,500 frontline workers at the Scarborough Health Network (SHN), represented by CUPE, are facing heightened staffing issues while hospitals across the province cut jobs to account for growing deficits. The SHN is currently battling a $36 million budget shortfall. Chronic underfunding has resulted in a dual crisis of both reduced investment and capacity, at a moment when demand for hospital services only continues to grow. A survey of SHN workers conducted by CUPE in la...

WestJet flight attendants bring unpaid work message out to the ballgame

TORONTO, ON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Blue Jays' bats may have been quiet on Tuesday night, but luckily dozens of WestJet flight attendants represented by CUPE 8125 were on site bringing the noise and raising awareness about unpaid work and low wages at WestJet, one of the Blue Jays' signature sponsors. Members of CUPE 8125 held an information picket outside the Skydome to talk with fans about the reality that flight attendants are expected to work without pay up to 35 hours per month at WestJet. T...
Back to Newsroom