Celebrating 20 years of labour activism with AUPE
Congratulations to this year’s DOVE award recipient, Laura Johnstone!
The annual DOVE Award, which stands for Day of Validation and Equity, honours women like Laura for their outstanding contributions to the betterment of women, AUPE members and all Albertans.
Laura has been providing exceptional care as a psychiatric aide for 27 years. She started at the General Hospital in 1996, the Misericordia Hospital in 2002 and finally Villa Caritas in 2012, where she continues to support seniors with complex mental and medical health issues.
In 2003, Laura joined as an active union member for AUPE and has been a fierce advocate for women’s rights ever since. She is always encouraging her coworkers and members to use their voice to speak up at work and in the union.
She has also taken on important roles like serving on the Occupational Health and Safety committee and Employee Management Advisory Committee. She also took on leadership roles, such as vice chair and chair for Local 046 Chapter 7, to help make sure the diverse voices of the membership were heard.
Laura is also passionate about engaging in union activities, having attended 17 conventions as a delegate. Her exact words were, “That’s when I got hooked and started taking every course, and really became a union activist.”
Laura is a firm believer that your union can take you places – so never stop fighting for your rights.
She not only took the fight to the employer, as part of her negotiation team, but she also initiated an information picket for Bill 11, inviting other unions like CUPE, HSAA and UNA to stand up for continuing care. Together, Laura helped show the provincial government that AUPE would not back off or back down.
Laura is known for uplifting others, being a woman of her word, and always a text or call away. She is a mother, wife, grandmother and a passionate activist who is proud of her union.
Her efforts, nor the work of the 14 other nominees for this year’s DOVE award, do not go unnoticed. Thank you to all members who help make our union, workplaces and province more equitable and just.
DOVE Award Event on March 16
We will be presenting Laura with her award at the DOVE social event, which will be taking place on March 16, 2023 at AUPE Headquarters in Edmonton, AB.
There will be special guests in attendance as well as exciting performances to also celebrate International Women's Day. The scheduled event will begin at 6 pm and will be catered with appetizers and beverages will be available.
The event is open to members and invited guests. To attend please RSVP before 4 pm on March 14: