Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) president Gil McGowan has announced plans to mobilize workers upset by the provincial government’s suspension of bargaining rights. He stated that unions will urge workers to participate in recall campaigns and prepare for a potential general strike.
Speaking at Ironworkers Hall in Edmonton, McGowan informed supporters and the media about the initiation of organizing efforts towards a prospective general strike in Alberta. He mentioned that further discussions with union leaders and non-unionized workers are necessary to gauge interest and plan the logistics of a general strike involving workers from various sectors of the economy.
While emphasizing that the decision to proceed with a general strike has not been finalized, McGowan indicated that the groundwork for such action is being laid. This reaction comes after the Alberta government swiftly passed the Back to School Act to compel 51,000 public, Catholic, and francophone school teachers back to work amid a strike over pay and classroom conditions.
The Back to School Act, utilizing the notwithstanding clause, suspended teachers’ collective bargaining rights and prevented legal challenges from the Alberta Teachers’ Association. It also preemptively banned teacher strikes concerning local matters until September 2028.
Canadian Labour Congress president Bea Bruske expressed solidarity with Alberta workers at a rally, warning that erosion of rights and freedoms in one province puts all workers at risk nationwide.
In response to the Alberta government’s actions, McGowan is considering tactics similar to those successfully employed by Ontario labor movements in the past. Ottawa labor lawyer Malini Vijaykumar highlighted the need for timely decisions in such situations to capitalize on public support for potential walkouts.
McGowan outlined plans to involve workers in recall campaigns targeting UCP MLAs to challenge the government and push for change. Various unions under the AFL and the Common Front coalition have pledged to support these efforts. Additionally, a group called AB Resistance is aiding in organizing recall campaigns, including one targeting Education and Childcare Minister Demetrios Nicolaides.
Encouraging workers to engage in the movement, McGowan urged them to support signature collection for a referendum on public funding of private schools in Alberta. While Finance Minister Nate Horner downplayed the AFL’s strategies, emphasizing the absence of public sector workers in a legal strike position, he warned of penalties for illegal strike actions.
Addressing concerns about potential disruptions in the healthcare sector, Horner emphasized the importance of maintaining service levels. Meanwhile, Red Tape Reduction Minister Dale Nally accused a left-wing group of exploiting recall legislation to trigger an early general election, expressing reservations about a premature electoral process.
With the UCP holding a narrow majority in the legislature, opposition parties and independents have opposed the Back to School Act. Nally underscored the messy but democratic nature of the political landscape, highlighting the potential challenges of another general election before the scheduled date.