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AUPE News & Updates
Member Updates
Friday, Sept. 5, 2003
2,000 take part in AUPE Grandparent’s Day picnic
EDMONTON — Up to 1,000 were expected — but nearly 2,000 people
showed up for AUPE’s Grandparents Day picnic on the south lawn
of the Alberta Legislature.
That could have been a problem, since almost all of the people at the
event had lined up for burgers.
Fortunately, AUPE member volunteers and staff were on the ball and soon
rustled up a second van-load of beef burgers, chicken patties, wieners,
buns and soft drinks. When the event drew to a close at 1:30 p.m., everyone
had been fed.
“This picnic was a great success and it shows the enthusiasm and
interest of AUPE’s members,” said Vice-President Lynne Gingras,
chair of the union Women’s Committee whose members organized the
event.
AUPE President Dan MacLennan addressed the throng, restating AUPE’s
concerns about the decision by the province last June to increase accommodation
rates in Alberta long-term care facilities by more than $4,000 per year.
The increase took effect on Aug. 1.
MacLennan also reminded the many direct provincial employees at the
picnic that negotiations for the wage-reopener clause in their current
collective agreement are now getting under way, with a meeting between
AUPE and government negotiators set for Sept. 15.
Opposition leader Ken Nicol, Edmonton Centre MLA Laurie Blakeman, in
whose riding the event took place, and Elder Advocates spokesperson
Ruth Adria also briefly addressed the event.
Classical music was provided by a chamber ensemble of unionized Edmonton
Symphony Orchestra players, members of the Edmonton Musicians Association.
Before the picnic, MacLennan said AUPE believes Albertans want their
health system to be properly funded. “Our health care system should
include safe, comfortable, fully staffed long-term care facilities for
our province’s dependent seniors,” he added.
Click here to for more information on the increased accommodation rates
Click here
for photos from the picnic
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