Doug Knight to replace Dan MacLennan as AUPE president
EDMONTON – Doug Knight, a veteran union activist from Red Deer, was elected today as president of the 63,000-member Alberta Union of Provincial Employees.
Knight, a land management specialist with the government of Alberta, was elected by delegates to the union’s annual convention to replace outgoing AUPE president Dan MacLennan. He will be sworn into office at the convention’s closing session tomorrow afternoon.
During his campaign, Knight, 48, emphasized the need for stability and continuation of MacLennan’s policy of leading a worksite union that emphasizes bargaining, member services and growth.
“I intend to stay the course set by Dan and focus on bargaining good contracts for AUPE’s members, meeting members in their workplaces and listening to their issues,” Knight said after his election was announced just after noon today.
“My emphasis will be on stability and continuity of the strong leadership we had from Dan MacLennan,” he said.
Knight joined AUPE in 1989, when he went to work for the provincial government in Peace River. He moved to his current position with Alberta Sustainable Resources Development in Red Deer in 2003.
Knight was most recently the representative for Local 005, which represents Natural Resources and Conservation Services members, on AUPE’s Provincial Executive. He has served over the years in numerous union posts.
Knight and his partner Brenda are parents of two foster children, aged 13 and 14.
Knight was elected from a field of 12 candidates vying to replace MacLennan, who has served as the president of Alberta’s largest union since 1997.
For more information, contact:
David Climenhaga, Communications Director, AUPE, 780-930-3311 or 780-717-2943 (mobile telephone)
Photo: Members congratulate new AUPE President Doug Knight, following his election earlier today, Oct. 27.