Rallies against Bill 9 planned in Athabasca, Red Deer, Fort Saskatchewan and Calgary

Members of United Nurses of Alberta, the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, the Health Sciences Association of Alberta, and the Canadian Union of Public Employees are expected to take part in information pickets protesting the Alberta Government’s interference in collective bargaining at four locations in Alberta next week.

On Monday, July 29, rallies are planned at the Red Deer Regional Hospital from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on 43rd Street northeast of the hospital, and at the Athabasca Healthcare Centre, 3100 – 48th Ave. in Athabasca from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

On Wednesday, July 31, pickets are information walks are planned from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Rockyview General Hospital, 7007 – 14th St. S.W. in Calgary and at the Fort Saskatchewan Community Hospital by the 86th Avenue entrance at 9401 – 86th Ave. in Fort Saskatchewan.  

Bill 9, the Public Sector Wage Arbitration Deferral Act, is intended to delay collective bargaining and arbitration for tens of thousands of Alberta public employees, including most of UNA’s more than 30,000 members, until the end of October. It was passed by the Legislature on June 19 and was given Royal Assent, becoming law, on June 28.

UNA filed a statement of claim with the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta on July 3 seeking a declaration the Act is of no force or effect because it is violation of the freedom of association provision of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which the courts have ruled guarantees the right of Canadian workers to bargain collectively.