For immediate release: Sunday, June 15, 2003

EDMONTON – The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees has filed a formal complaint with the International Labour Organization about Bill 27, the health authorities labour relations law passed by the provincial Legislature in March.

AUPE alleges in the complaint to the Geneva-based United Nations organization that the Alberta government violated the UN Convention on Freedom of Association when it passed Bill 27.

"The focus of most unions affected immediately by Bill 27 was on the runoff votes to determine who will represent health region employees in the new large regional bargaining units established by the act," said AUPE President Dan MacLennan.

"But it’s important that we don’t forget that this is a terrible piece of legislation that treats the rights of a huge number of working people with contempt," MacLennan said. "This complaint is part of our effort to make sure the other bad features of this law are not forgotten.

"By bringing this to the attention of the United Nations, we hope to let the government know that the eyes of the world are on it when it removes internationally recognized rights," he said. "We hope the pressure that results will prevent them from extending these terrible ideas to other areas of labour law that are now being reviewed."

AUPE argues in its complaint to the ILO that Bill 27 significantly and dramatically alters bargaining rights for health care workers by terminating the right to strike of many, removing legally negotiated severance provisions from collective agreements and not involving unions in the process.

"Freedom to associate, to engage in legal strikes and to organize has been taken away from workers in Alberta’s health care sector with the enactment of Bill 27," MacLennan said in the union’s letter to the ILO Governing Body Committee on Freedom of Association.

AUPE seeks the following redress from the UN organization:

• A declaration from the ILO that Alberta violated the UN Convention on Freedom of Association.
• A declaration that affected employees be compensated if they are financially impacted by Bill 27.
• A recommendation that the law be repealed.
• A recommendation that the province allow for appropriate and meaningful consultations with the affected unions.
• A recommendation that the government in future refrain from arbitrarily enforcing legislation as a method of resolving disputes.
• An ILO study and information mission to be established to investigate AUPE’s complaints.

The ILO has acknowledged receipt of AUPE’s letter and indicated that it will now proceed to examine the case made by the union.

Click here to go to AUPE’s submission to the Legislature labour law review committee.

Click the links below to go to AUPE’s press releases on Bill 27.

• MacLennan says government must consult unions on regulations in new labour law.
• AUPE President Dan MacLennan available to comment on Bill 27 regulations.
  

For more information, contact;
Dan MacLennan, President, AUPE, 780-930-3301 or 780-910-8392 (cellular phone)
David Climenhaga, Communications Director, AUPE, 780-930-3311 or 780-717-2943 (cellular phone)