CUPE 1169

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination recognizes that the injustices and prejudices fueled by racial discrimination take place every day. Observed annually on March 21, it commemorates the day police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid “pass laws” in 1960.

In Canada, this date is an opportunity to reflect on the fact that while progress has been made, Indigenous Peoples, racialized communities and religious minorities in Canada continue to face racism and discrimination every day. It is also a day to re-commit our efforts to combat all forms of racial discrimination, injustice, systemic racism and hate to ensure a world where everyone is respected, safe, and has equitable access to contribute meaningfully to all aspects of society.

A few hundred hardy souls rallied for Canada Saturday morning at city hall in -20 temperatures as ‘Alberta is Canada’ celebrations were held in Calgary, Edmonton and Medicine Hat. It was a grassroots response to the province’s separatist movement. One of the event’s organizers was Indigenous advocate Nicole Johnston. “Today, we are gathered here in unity to bring people together, to show what unity really looks like and to stand in solidarity with the (First Nation) treaties,“ she said. Johnston said Alberta separatist advocates have underestimated what would be involved with an actual attempt at separation. “I just want to keep emphasizing to the fact that the treaties play a real vital role here, and it’s the treaties that are at the main forefront of this,” Johnston said.

Ashley Bauer, our treasurer and other Local 1169 members braved the frigid temperature to support a united Alberta.

March 8 marks International Women’s Day (IWD), a time to recognize and celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and girls.

This year’s theme, Give to Gain, highlights the importance of taking meaningful steps to advance gender equality.

The union representing 12,000 education workers in Alberta says a new report calling for additional classroom support is stating the obvious.

“There’s nothing new in this ‘new’ roadmap. We all know we need more staff in classrooms, and the UCP needs to make it happen,” said CUPE Alberta President Raj Uppal.

“The issue of classroom complexity isn’t all that complex. We need more staff, not more reports.”

Uppal said the strike by education support staff last winter and the teachers’ strike last month were caused by UCP budget cuts.

“Alberta has had the lowest education funding levels in Canada for years,” said Uppal. “They keep promising more staff, and then they keep failing to deliver.”

Uppal says the government’s promise of 1,500 new Educational Assistants is about half of what is needed to catch up to 2019 levels.

“We all know we need more staff in classrooms, and we all knew it back in 2023 when more staff were promised.  The UCP needs to make it happen.”