As a Union Representative in AUPE's Edmonton headquarters, Jim Petrie is currently assigned to negotiating contracts in the Health Care Services Sector.

Petrie became actively involved the labour movement in 1973. He had been involved in a dispute with an employer, and the active intervention on his behalf by his union demonstrated the value of union membership, he recalls. In the years since, Petrie has played an active role in locals, area councils and the Federation of Labour, serving as a shop steward, local treasurer, recording secretary and vice-president. Before coming to AUPE, Petrie served as full-time president of Local 7621 of the United Steelworkers of America at Smoky River Coal in Grande Cache.

In his years as an active trade unionist, Petrie has actively represented the interests of working people in such matters related to the Workers Compensation Board, occupational health and safety, interest and rights arbitrations, the Labour Relations Board, government committees and legislation, and contract negotiations. Petrie calls his role as a voting observer and educator in South Africa during the election that brought Nelson Mandela to power as a highlight of his time in the union movement.

1-800-232-7284, press 1
780-930-3335
j.petrie@aupe.org