For immediate release: Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2004

EDMONTON — Alberta Union of Provincial Employees members who work for the province’s Correctional and Regulatory Services will mark Weedless Wednesday tomorrow by taking strong action to halt smoking in their workplaces — including provincial jails.

Starting this week, members of AUPE who work in Corrections settings will file occupational health and safety grievances and Workers Compensation claims when they encounter second-hand smoke in their workplaces.
AUPE President Dan MacLennan will also take part in a 10 a.m. news conference tomorrow at the Marriott Hotel in Calgary.

Heather Crowe, a former waitress dying from lung cancer acquired from second-hand smoke, will attend the Calgary news conference, which has been organized by Action on Smoking and Health and Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada.

MacLennan said today that the executive of AUPE Local 003 — which represents Alberta Correctional Officers, including guards in provincial jails, as well as Probation Officers and Correctional Service Workers — has ensured that all of its worksites are aware of the need to formally address workplace smoking.

“Second-hand smoke is a known carcinogen that is making our members sick,” he said. “This issue has been on the health and safety agenda for a decade and it’s time the province quit delaying and stopped all smoking in provincial jails.”

MacLennan said AUPE will again be asking the Solicitor-General’s Department to act on past commitments to ban smoking in jails immediately.

Grievance and Workers Compensation claims forms have been distributed to all Correctional worksites that allow smoking, and members should start filing grievances and claims as soon as they encounter second-hand smoke.
MacLennan noted that most workers in Correctional facilities are exposed to second-hand smoke throughout their shifts.

“This is a serious health concern for our members,” he said. “We need to bring it to the forefront now.”
MacLennan predicted that in addition to making jails healthier workplaces, a smoking ban would reduce long-term health care costs for the province and reduce the province’s liability costs.

But if a ban is not imposed, he warned, governments and other employers are sure to face rising costs as employees, former employees and their families seek redress and compensation for disease and death caused by the environment in which they worked.

MacLennan, who is on leave from his job as a Correctional Officer, noted that other provinces that have banned smoking in jails have had little difficulty dealing with situations that arise as a result.

He added, however, that it is important the smoking ban be implemented fairly in consultation with trained, professional front-line staff. “We want the ban to be brought forward with programs provided for people who are going to have to stop smoking.”

MacLennan added that AUPE Local 003 members are working with other AUPE locals that have members working in Correctional facilities to encourage a full ban on smoking products.

At its Feb. 6 meeting, AUPE’s Provincial Executive will go over the process of filing claims with representatives of all AUPE locals.

Click here to read recent news coverage of AUPE’s position on smoking in the workplace.

Alberta jail employees want inmates to butt out
Globe & Mail, Jan 28, 2004

Ban smoking in jail-AUPE
Fort Saskatchewn record, Jan 27, 2004

Crowe to speak
Crowsnest Pass Promoter, Jan 27, 2004

Olds College launches tobacco reduction project
Red Deer Central Alberta Advisorl, Jan 25, 2004

Ban smoking in jail - AUPE
Fort Saskatchewan Record, Jan 23, 2004

Lethal delay in smoke ban
Calgary Sun, Jan 22, 2004

Leaders will hear Crowe's sad story
Calgary Sun, Jan 22, 2004
Calgary Sun carry, Jan 22, 2004

Province defends wait on jail smoking ban
Edmonton Sun, Jan 22, 2004

Workplace smoke ban urged
Calgary Herald, Jan 22, 2004

Jail employees pushing for smoking ban
Lethbridge Herald, Jan 21, 2004

Resolve to Ban Second-hand smoke, AUPE President advises province
Provost News, Jan 21, 2004

Jail employees will grieve second-hand smoke
Edmonton Journal, Jan 21, 2004

Jail guards want province to ban smoking in prisons
Red Advocate, Jan 21, 2004

Push on to ban smoking in provincial prisons
Ft. McMurray Today, Jan 21, 2004

AUPE wants jail smoking bans
Grande Prairie Herald Tribune, Jan 21, 2004

It's time to ban smoking in the workplace
Falhler Smoky River Expess, Jan 14, 2004

Smoking debate heating up
Sundre Roundup, Jan 13, 2004

Clearing the air in jail
Calgary Herald, Dec 30, 2003

Smoking in jail
Calgary Herald, Dec 30, 2003

AUPE urges province to butt out
Calgary Sun, Dec 28, 2003

For more information, contact:
Dan MacLennan, President, AUPE, 780-930-3301 or 780-232-8392 (cellular phone)
Les Hagen, Executive Director, Action on Smoking and Health, 780-919-5546.
David Climenhaga, Communications Director, AUPE, 780-930-3311 or 780-717-2943 (cellular phone)