UNA stands proudly behind its fight to protect members’ retirement security

Minutes of a United Nurses of Alberta local annual general meeting are circulating on social media showing an expenditure of $200,000 on a campaign to oppose the Alberta government’s plan to leave the Canada Pension Plan.
 
The information is accurate. This was a decision of the Executive Board and UNA stands proudly behind its participation in the fight organized by the Alberta Federation of Labour to protect its members’ retirement security as one of the core functions of our union.
 
UNA believes strongly that it owes it to all current members, and all retired members including those who now live in other provinces, to fight hard to protect their retirement security, which is best ensured by participation in the Canada Pension Plan.
 
The flaws and uncertainties of the Alberta government’s proposal are well understood. UNA would not be properly fulfilling its mandate as a representative of more than 30,000 Alberta Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses if we did not do whatever we could to advocate for their retirement security.
 
We are concerned about our members’ and former members’ pensions and retirement security for the same reason we are concerned about their pay, benefits, safety, and fair treatment in the workplace.
 
With this policy, the Alberta Government is threatening the retirement security of our members, and our members expect us to respond to that threat.
 
We will always oppose such measures and we will continue to do so with confidence and determination. UNA is not affiliated with any political party.