For immediate release: Monday, April 5, 2004

EDMONTON — Garnett Robinson, a child and youth care counselor from Lac La Biche, has joined the Executive Committee of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees as vice-president.

Robinson, who works at the Lac La Biche Youth Assessment Centre, was chosen Saturday for the important post on the six-member Executive Committee by a vote of AUPE’s Provincial Executive.

“We are all looking forward to Garnett’s enthusiasm and energy on the union’s Executive,” said AUPE President Dan MacLennan. “I anticipate that Garnett will make a very valuable contribution to the union, as he has in other important positions for many years.”

Robinson, an employee of Alberta Children’s Services since 1985, said today that he is very pleased with his latest opportunity to serve the members of AUPE.

“I see this as another chance for growth in the experience and education AUPE has offered me over the years,” Robinson said. “It will be a great honour to serve AUPE’s members in this capacity.”

Robinson, who grew up in Vancouver and received a BA in Criminology from B.C.’s Simon Fraser University, has served AUPE over the years in many areas, most recently as Provincial Executive Representative for Local 006, which represents social services employees of the provincial government.

He has also been a member of the Local 006 Bargaining Committee, Chair of the AUPE Members Benefits Committee and a member of the union’s Legislative Committee.

Robinson played an active role as a picket captain during the 1990 social workers’ strike and worked on the 2000 health care strike by AUPE members. He worked a three-month term on AUPE’s staff as a temporary Membership Services Officer.

Robinson’s election as one of AUPE’s four vice-presidents came in response to the resignation as vice-president of Wendy Webber, who joined AUPE’s staff as a permanent MSO in February.

Robinson’s current term will run until October 2004, when under the rules of AUPE’s Constitution a by-election must be held. Delegates to AUPE’s convention normally elect members of the Executive Committee every second year. The last full election for Executive Committee members was in October 2003.

The AUPE Executive Committee is now made up of President Dan MacLennan, Executive Secretary-Treasurer Ed Mardell and Vice-Presidents Lynne Gingras, Kathie Milne, Garnett Robinson and Ron Whan.

A high-resolution photo of Robinson is available for media use by clicking on this link.

For more information, contact:
Dan MacLennan, President, AUPE, 780-930-3301 or 780-232-8392 (cellular phone)
Garnett Robinson, Vice-President, AUPE, 780-404-9167 (cellular phone)
David Climenhaga, Communications Director, AUPE, 780-930-3311 or 780-717-2943 (cellular phone)