We are at a critical juncture in our fight to protect workers’ rights in Alberta. The provincial government has taken unprecedented steps to undermine the Charter-protected right to strike.
Hours before CUPE education workers in Fort McMurray were set to start a legal strike, the provincial government suspended their right to strike by appointing a Disputes Inquiry Board.
The government is not neutral. Despite having a healthy surplus, this government has kept education funding below what is needed to maintain the status quo. And to make it worse, they have imposed restrictive bargaining mandates on school boards that are blocking progress in negotiations. Now, they’re trying to stop strike action so that workers can’t push back.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. CUPE members in Fort McMurray have been fighting for fair wages, job security, and a better quality of education for students in their community.
This isn’t just a local issue—this is a fight for all of us. The erosion of workers’ rights in Fort McMurray sets a dangerous precedent for all workers in Alberta. If we don’t act now, other public and private sector workers could face the same draconian measures.
This is where you come in. We need every CUPE member, ally, and supporter to take action and show the government that we will not stand by while our rights are stripped away. Here’s how you can help:
- Click here to join the fight and send a message to the provincial government demanding they respect our Charter-protected rights to collective bargaining and strike action.
- Share this message with your fellow workers, friends, and community members. The more voices we have, the stronger our impact.
- Stay informed and ready to support further actions. This is a long-term fight, and we need to be united every step of the way.
CUPE members have a long history of standing up for workers’ rights, and now is the time to come together once again. Our strength is in our solidarity—let’s show the government that we will not back down.
In solidarity,
Lynn Fleet, President CUPE Local 2545
Danielle Danis, President CUPE Local 2559
P.S. – Keep an eye out for updates and upcoming events. Together, we will defend the rights that generations of workers fought to secure.