By Tamara Aschenbrenner, Communications Staff
When AUPE called for strike captains, something unexpected happened. Members who had never pictured themselves as activists—who were too busy, too unsure, or too in the dark—started stepping up.
Strike captain training has done more than prepare members for the picket lines. It started journeys into union activism for workers who weren’t sure where they fit in.
For some, this was their first step. For others, this could be the beginning of a lifelong path in the labour movement.
Stepping up and speaking out
Ashlie Kimber, a Local 002 member working at the Edmonton Remand Centre, never expected to become more involved. As a working parent, she assumed union activism was for people at the beginning or end of their careers—not for someone balancing work and kids.
But as bargaining with the Government of Alberta dragged on and tensions in the workplace rose, Ashlie started asking herself hard questions. “I felt like we are at a point where, if I didn’t get involved, I couldn’t complain about the result,” she says. “I wanted to make a difference.”
The strike captain training gave her more than a roadmap. It connected her with AUPE resources and other members, helping her realize she wasn’t alone.
“I felt like we are at a point where, if I didn’t get involved, I couldn’t complain about the result. I wanted to make a difference.”
Energized by the experience, Ashlie helped organize two well-attended, catered information sessions (called Lunch and Learns) at her worksite to spread the word. As a result, between the Remand Centre and the Edmonton Young Offender Centre next door, 12 more AUPE members have stepped forward to become strike captains.
Strike training showed her—and her coworkers—that union activism is not just for the young or retired. It’s for anyone who wants to make a difference or learn something new. “It’s still beneficial knowledge for you to have,” she says. “You get to get smarter.”
Even if she never wears a strike captain vest on a picket line, Ashlie knows the skills, knowledge, and connections she’s gained will continue to serve her, and her workplace, for years to come.
Rewriting the union narrative
Lisa Devos, Local 001 Chapter 003, has been in a union before, but never as an active member. This time, when AUPE organizers visited her new worksite and encouraged members to take the training, something clicked.
“I used to think unions had outlived their purpose,” she says. “But now I think we need them more than ever.”
“It was a good way to build camaraderie and figure out who’s all on the same page. Your support team gets just that much bigger.”
Intrigued, Lisa signed up. What she found was more than logistics and picket line procedures. Strike captain training gave her insight into how the union functions and how members can organize together to protect their rights. “I want to make sure nobody pulls the wool over my eyes anymore,” she says. “I feel way more informed now.”
The training also changed how she saw her coworkers—and how they saw her. She started encouraging others to get involved, and found it sparked more conversations about shared struggles and values. “It was a good way to build camaraderie and figure out who’s all on the same page,” Lisa says. “Your support team gets just that much bigger.”
Strike captain training lit a fire inside Lisa. What started as curiosity became something more active and ongoing: a new role as a trusted voice in her workplace and a renewed belief in the power of collective action.
The bigger picture: why training matters
Investing in union training like this isn’t just about preparing for one moment. It’s about preparing members for all the moments that follow—in bargaining, in the workplace, and in the greater fight for fairness.
AUPE members are honing their skills and confidence. Every person who attends a course or training session becomes a point of connection with other members. Every point of connection helps spread solidarity and, in turn, a stronger union.
For Ashlie and Lisa, that meant stepping into new leadership roles. They’re sharing what they’ve learned, mentoring fellow members, and helping coworkers feel supported and informed—whether or not a strike occurs.
Looking ahead
Ashlie and Lisa’s stories show that you don’t have to be a lifelong activist to make a difference. You don’t have to take up all the spotlight. Just a little courage and a small step forward can create a huge change for you and your coworkers.
And once you do? You may discover, like they did, that you’re more capable—and more powerful—than you ever imagined.
Interested in training opportunities or becoming a strike captain? Visit www.aupe.org/training to learn more.
