AUPE's 34th Annual Convention big success, higher than expected attendance
EDMONTON — A record 1,006 delegates, life members, observers, staff, media and others took part in the closing session of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees’ 34th Annual Convention on Saturday afternoon.
There were 1,006 participants at the union’s 2010 Convention Saturday morning – the first time in the union’s history that Convention attendance topped 1,000 people.
Attendance was up for the simple reason AUPE’s membership is up – now closing in on 76,000 members province-wide – and the number of Convention delegates is tied to the size of the membership, one per 100 members.
The theme of the 2010 Convention was “Mobilization – Building Strength and Solidarity.”
Day one began with the singing of O Canada and Solidarity Forever. The song was accompanied by a unionized quartet from the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.
AUPE President Guy Smith opened business at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 14, with the reminder that “success in any struggle rests upon the direct involvement of the members affected by the struggle.”
Following Smith, Mayor Stephen Mandel brought greetings from the City of Edmonton to the many delegates, reminding them that AUPE members often tend to go “beyond the call of duty.” He concluded his remarks by saying that AUPE members “are, to us, our province.”
A rally at the Alberta Legislature attended by more than 600 concluded Thursday’s events. Larry Booi of Public Interest Alberta and Friends of Medicare Executive Director David Eggen joined AUPE President Guy Smith in addressing the large crowd.
Smith emphasized the importance of standing together when it comes to the ongoing negotiations between the union’s General Service Bargaining Committee and the Alberta government. The negotiations have been difficult and Smith told the crowd that “we are here to show the government that we are serious about protecting our public services, and about getting a fair deal for our General Service members who do the work that make this government look good. Maybe we’re getting tired of making these guys look good,” he added, pointing to the legislature behind him.
Day two saw AUPE Occupational Health and Safety Representative Dennis Malayko present three AUPE activists with the 2010 Rolyn Sumlak Safety Award. Recipients this year are: Joanne Spencer, Local 046; Rick Stewart, Local 005; and Tony Mah, Local 038. Malayko and the award winners were accompanied to the stage by an honour guard of Correctional Peace Officers and a piper.
AUPE Life Member awards were given to nine current and former AUPE members in the afternoon. Click here to view biographies of the winners.
Former Civil Service Association of Alberta President Denys Cook, 91, gave an inspiring speech to hundreds in the audience on Friday. He spoke about the need to continue the efforts of the union, even in the face of difficult opposition, because the work done by AUPE is critical to the province. The CSA of A became AUPE in 1977.
Day three concluded the 34th Annual Convention with discussion and debate on the 2010/11 budget.
“This year’s Convention was amongst the best produced and smoothest running I have seen in my more than 20 years of attending Convention,” Smith added. “I would like to thank the delegates, executive, staff and activists for such a successful Convention and I look forward to an even better Convention next year.”
Delegates adjourned Saturday afternoon with the singing of Solidarity Forever.