For immediate release: Thursday, Feb. 26, 2004

JASPER — The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees’ four-day Labour Education School, which ended this afternoon, was another remarkable success and as a result will grow in 2005, said AUPE President Dan MacLennan.

The annual school, which was held at the unionized Jasper Park Lodge, provided advanced training for more than 200 committed AUPE activists. It built on the success of AUPE’s annual labour school that began in Jasper in 2002.

“The level of support in our union for these schools is always remarkable,” MacLennan said. “Students come away from these courses with many added skills that make them more effective union leaders and activists, and which contribute to making AUPE stronger for present and new members.

“As a result of the success of the 2004 LES, we plan to expand the program significantly in 2005,” MacLennan said.

“There were approximately 200 students this year and 322 applicants to attend the eight courses we offered,” he said. “In 2005, there will be 10 courses offered and 255 positions for students who want to take part.”
In addition, MacLennan said, next year’s labour school will be held in Banff.

All students who want to participate in the school must demonstrate their commitment to AUPE by serving in important roles such as worksite activists and union stewards, or by having taken introductory courses from AUPE’s Education Section.

“The main objective of this school is to make our most committed members more effective union stewards and union leaders, and I know we have achieved that goal again this year,” said Union Representative, Education, Greg Maruca, who organized the school.

“Application forms will be sent out to members before summer,” Maruca said. “Selection of participants in the 2005 school should be completed before Christmas.”

Classes this year included advanced training for union stewards, leadership training, re-energizing health and safety committees, bargaining and lobbying government.

Participants at this year’s school raised $892.80 for the Jasper Food Bank and $992.80 for the Yellowhead Women’s Emergency Shelter in Hinton.

AUPE is Alberta’s largest union, with more than 58,000 members.

NOTE: The Alberta Labour History Institute continues to need support. Pledges that were distributed during the 2004 AUPE Labour Education School should be returned to Winston Gereluk at 11207 – 70th Avenue, Edmonton, T6H 2H2. For more information, contact Gereluk at winstong@athabascau.ca or 1-888-205-8143.