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AUPE News & Updates
Member Updates
Thursday, Oct. 23, 2003
AUPE annual convention opens with music, solemn moment
EDMONTON — Nearly 700 AUPE delegates and observers shook the walls
of the Ramada Hotel and Conference Centre Thursday morning with rousing
renditions of O Canada and Solidarity Forever to open AUPE’s 27th
Convention.
With a little urging, AUPE President Dan MacLennan officially began
the convention “as close to ever” to 9 a.m., welcoming members
and guests from all parts of the province.
Delegates were silent for one minute to honour workers killed at work
and the Canadian soldiers who lost their lives in the service of their
country during the past year.
Then spirits rose as the delegates, led by Local 005 member Mike Dempsey
from Lac La Biche, raised their voices in song. The horns of the unionized
Edmonton Musicians Association, accompanied by Dempsey’s kazoo,
provided the music for the spirited affair, which was followed by a
raucous standing ovation.
City of Edmonton Councilor Karen Leibovici welcomed delegates on behalf
to the municipal government. “You have raised the bar for all in
society,” Leibovici told the delegates. “The Alberta Advantage
is because of your sacrifice and work.”
Loud applause followed MacLennan’s announcement that the delegates
would be going to support striking A-Channel employees on their picket
line Friday at 4 p.m. Ten buses will carry the delegates to the station’s
Jasper Avenue studio, MacLennan said.
With that, delegates got down to business and, by lunchtime, had approved
AUPE’s 2003-2004 audited financial statement.
Elections for AUPE’s President, Executive Secretary-Treasurer and
four vice-presidents will also take place through Friday morning and
early afternoon.
Also Friday, Alberta Teachers Association President Frank Bruseker will
be address the delegates at 2 p.m.
The convention takes place at the Ramada Hotel and Convention Centre,
11834 Kingsway Ave., in Edmonton.
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