For immediate release: Tuesday June 8, 2004

Who: The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees
What: AUPE Anti-Privatization, Health and Safety, and Women’s conferences
Where: Mayfield Inn & Suites, 16615 – 109 Ave., Edmonton
When: Friday, June 11, Saturday, June 12 and Sunday, June 13, 2004
Why: An opportunity to discuss important issues facing Albertans including anti-privatization, occupational health and safety objectives and issues facing women in the workplace.

EDMONTON — More than 300 members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees will gather this weekend to take part in conferences on the fight against privatization of public services, women’s issues in the workplace and occupational health and safety.

AUPE members from all corners of the province will journey to Edmonton for the important meetings, which will run from Friday, June 11, to Sunday, June 13, at the Mayfield Inn at 16615 – 109 Ave.

“It’s crucial unions play a role in fostering increased debate on issues important to our members,” said union President Dan MacLennan, who will attend many of the sessions.

Media are welcome to attend the conferences, which will take place in the same time period and in the same facility. Agendas are included with this news release. Click on headlines for agendas.

Anti-Privatization Conference
With privatization of quality public services clearly still on the provincial and national agendas, AUPE needs to be ready to be proactive to preserve the services the public expects and deserves, and to protect the livelihoods of thousands of Alberta families, said AUPE Vice President Ron Whan, who is chair of the union’s Anti-Privatization Committee.

Participants in the Anti-Privatization Conference will study the history and philosophy of privatization, typical methods of implementation and typical indicators that public-sector jobs may be about to be privatized.

Saturday morning, Alberta Liberal Party Leader Kevin Taft, Alberta New Democrat MLA Brian Mason and economist Todd Hirsch will participate in a debate on privatization.

“We are particularly concerned with areas such as health sector dietary and housekeeping jobs, which are tempting targets for privatizers, but where public health stands to suffer if the work is done by unskilled, low-wage employees with no commitment to the health care system,” Whan said.

Women’s Conference