For immediate release: Friday, June 27, 2003

EDMONTON – Employees of Venta Nursing Home Ltd. have voted to become members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees.

The approximately 60 employees of the Edmonton continuing-care facility had been members of the Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC).

“We’re very pleased to welcome these new members to our union,” said AUPE President Dan MacLennan.

“We are confident that they will benefit from the decision they have made to join AUPE, a union that is serious about negotiating solid agreements for its members,” MacLennan said.

The vote took place on June 20 under the supervision of the Alberta Labour Relations Board. After hearing a technical objection from the employer, the board ruled today that the vote could be counted.

CLAC has been frequently criticized within the labour movement for its lack of commitment to union principles, its history of signing weak agreements that do not benefit its members and its poor record for representing members in disputes with their employers.

The Alberta, Ontario and Nova Scotia labour relations boards have commented in rulings on the poor representation provided to members by CLAC.

“This shows again that AUPE is the union of choice for health care workers in Alberta,” MacLennan concluded.

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 780-910-8392 (cellular phone)