Studies begin tomorrow for AUPE Labour School’s ‘Class of 2009’
JASPER – The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees’ eighth annual Labour School will be opened tomorrow evening by President Doug Knight.
When the intensive five-day program for 212 students ends on Thursday, March 5, more than 2,000 AUPE stewards and activists will have taken part in the program since the union’s annual labour schools began in 2002.
This year’s Labour School takes place at the Jasper Park Lodge.
The goal of the school is to provide advanced union education for committed AUPE activists, said Knight, who will address the school’s opening session at 6 p.m. tomorrow.
Media are welcome to attend the opening session, or to arrange another time to attend the school.
Courses begin Sunday evening immediately after Knight’s remarks to the opening session, with instruction continuing right through to the end of the school, mid-day on March 5.
Training at AUPE’s Labour School and other education programs aims to help committed members deal with the challenges faced by union activists and to represent the union’s members more effectively.
Seven courses are offered at this year’s Labour Education School, as follows:
- Leadership – Union Counselling – Labour History – Advanced Steward Instruction – Duty to Accommodate – Organizing – Practical Communications Tools
“AUPE has made a significant commitment to union education because we believe that as our union continues to grow we need more members who have the skills to represent their co-workers effectively,” Knight said.
AUPE is Alberta’s largest union, with more than 72,000 members throughout the province.
For more information, contact:
Doug Knight, President, AUPE, 780-930-3301 or 780-265-6655 (cellular phone)
David Climenhaga, Communications Director, AUPE, 780-930-3311 or 780-717-2943 (cellular phone)