AUPE Kananaskis labour school opens
KANANASKIS – The more than 230 participants in AUPE’s 2008 Labour Education School got down to work late this afternoon.
This evening at dinner, participants were welcomed by AUPE President Doug Knight, who told them that the work they are training to do amounts to “creating the structure and the lifeblood of any union.”
“You are here because you are the leaders and activists of Alberta’s largest union,” he said. “You have the responsibility not only to take what you learn back to your individual worksites, but to all others that would benefit from what is presented here this week.
“It is applicable to so many other situations and to so many other people that labour under the archaic laws of this province,” Knight added.
To a rousing cheer, Knight advised participants to “work hard, but enjoy yourself in this beautiful part of Alberta, and take pride in the fact that you are a member of this great Alberta union.”
Instruction at the seventh annual school, which is being held this year at the Delta Lodge at Kananaskis, is focusing this year on communicating union goals to members, locals, politicians and society.
The program runs from mid-afternoon today until mid-day on Thursday, Feb. 28.
Ten classes of seven different courses are being taught this year: Leadership, Union Counseling, Advanced Health and Safety, Practical Communications Tools, Duty to Accommodate, Advanced Steward, and Organizing. Each course is limited to 24 participants.
To participate in the annual school, students must be committed union activists who have previously completed either one- or two-day AUPE courses.
The closing session of the school, at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, will be addressed by Hemi Mitic.
Mitic, Assistant to Canadian Auto Workers Union National President Buzz Hargrove, is renowned as an inspiring speaker. He is scheduled to speak on the importance of being vigilant during organizing drives.