AFL to Hold Press Conference Today - Vows Unprecedented response to AB Gov’t Use of Notwithstanding Clause

Courtesy AFL Website

Common Front: A Unified Defence for Workers' Rights

Common Front is a coalition of dozens of Alberta's largest public and private sector unions, representing a united front in the defence of workers' rights. Founded on the principle of "collective defence," the alliance operates on the core belief that an attack on one union is an attack on all. Partner unions have committed to taking decisive, coordinated action to assist any union targeted by government or employer actions that undermine their rights, particularly the fundamental right to strike.

“Uprecedented Response” Promise

The Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) is promising an "unprecedented response" from the province's unions after the UCP government tabled legislation using the Constitution's notwithstanding clause to force striking teachers back to work.

AFL President Gil McGowan is scheduled to hold a press conference today at 1:30 p.m Alberta time to outline the labour movement's strategy, which he says will be a unified and forceful pushback against what he calls the government's "war on workers."

Owl News will be broadcasting this press conference live on this website as well as our YouTube channel.

Response to Bill 2

The confrontation escalated Monday when the government introduced Bill 2, ending the teachers' strike and imposing a new contract in a marathon session at the Legislature. To pre-empt legal challenges, the government invoked Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms—the notwithstanding clause—which allows legislatures to override certain Charter rights for a five-year period.

In a fiery statement released Monday, McGowan accused Premier Danielle Smith's government of deliberately choosing the "nuclear option" when other avenues were available.

“The Smith government had other options,” said McGowan. “They could have ended the strike and sent the parties to mediation. They could have ended the strike and sent the dispute to binding arbitration. Instead, they deliberately chose the nuclear option. They’ve launched a war on workers and democracy. We have no intention of letting them get away with it.”

McGowan stated that the government's move has fundamentally changed the nature of the dispute.

“This started as a dispute between teachers and the government. But now they’ve chosen to make this a confrontation between the UCP government and the entire Alberta labour movement,” he said. “We won’t abandon the teachers to deal with these bullies alone. And we won’t allow them to continue, unopposed, with their anti-democratic and anti-worker agenda.”

He also took aim at the UCP's political identity, labelling them "the law-breaking party" for their use of the clause to suspend Charter protections.

“The Charter of Rights and Freedoms is the highest law in the land, and they’re choosing to thumb their noses at it,” he said.

In response, leaders from all of Alberta’s major unions, united under the banner of the Common Front, have been meeting urgently to formulate a coordinated response. McGowan said the strategy developed in these meetings will be unveiled at today's press conference.

“Make no mistake, the UCP has just launched a war against workers. It’s not a war we wanted, but it’s one we must win,” McGowan said. “In the middle of an historic affordability crisis, we can’t let them get away with neutering unions and undermining worker bargaining power. Bill 2 would set a precedent that implicates all working Albertans and their ability to earn wages that allow them to live with dignity.”

Today's announcement is expected to signal a significant and potentially prolonged period of labour unrest in Alberta as unions mobilize against the provincial government.

CUPW, CUPE and AUPE are among the unions who have joined the Common Front. A full list of unions who have joined the “Common Front” can be found here.

Premier Smith In Saudi Arabia: Threats of General Strike Persist

Premier Smith was not in attendance at the Alberta Legislature, she was en route to the Middle East to “showcase” Alberta. Meanwhile, rumblings on social media speak of a general strike, something that has not happened in Alberta since 1919.

We will not know what action the Common Front is considering until today’s press conference. Tune in to Owl News to watch it live.