LETHBRIDGE—Tens of thousands of post-secondary education workers in Alberta have pledged to support members of the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association (ULFA), who began strike action on Thursday, Feb. 10.
This coalition of Albertans has sent a letter to University President Dr. Michael Mahon demanding respect and a fair contract for the striking faculty members. They are also actively organizing rallies across the province to show their support.
Signatories to the letter include AUPE Local 053—which represents 500 support staff at the University of Lethbridge—as well as faculty and support staff at Athabasca University, Medicine Hat College, Mount Royal University, NAIT, SAIT, the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary, and more.
“This has been a grassroots effort from the beginning,” says AUPE Vice-President Bobby-Joe Borodey. “AUPE members in the post-secondary sector began work to support the ULFA as soon as their members voted in favour of strike action.
“We are prepared to support the ULFA for as long as it takes to secure a fair contract. That includes joining them on their picket line in solidarity.”
The coalition’s forces are bolstered by larger unions and organizations that have also pledged support, including the Alberta Federation of Labour and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (Alberta). Borodey believes this huge level of support is a sign that workers in the sector are ready to stand up for themselves.
“Post-secondary workers across the province are inspired and energized thanks to the recent and successful strike pulled off by the Concordia University of Edmonton Faculty Association,” she says. “We all supported them when they were out on the line, and now we are here to support our fellow workers in the ULFA.”
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Vice-President Borodey is available for interviews.
Please contact Alexander Delorme, AUPE Communications Officer: 780-264-9274 or a.delorme@aupe.org
Please see below for a PDF copy of the letter sent to UofL President Dr. Michael Mahon.