What exactly do you want unions to do here that non-union workers can’t also do?
While it’s nice to see that some people are starting to realize the benefits unions can have in standing up against and deterring government overreach, expecting the province that has the strongest restrictions on unionizing, and as a result also the lowest workforce union density in the country to now suddenly be saved by unions alone without the full support of the public is a risky plan.
I will do my part by getting drunk and watching the Jays and not going in tomorrow !
Come
Up with a rotating general strike, they’d be fools to think they’re not next
Next? When haven’t they been on the UCP’s menu or that of the corporate world?
While union employees in the public sector have a little bit more protection than their private sector counterparts, they still risk termination of their employment if they strike illegally.
What exactly do you want unions to do here that non-union workers can’t also do?
While it’s nice to see that some people are starting to realize the benefits unions can have in standing up against and deterring government overreach, expecting the province that has the strongest restrictions on unionizing, and as a result also the lowest workforce union density in the country to now suddenly be saved by unions alone without the full support of the public is a risky plan.
Are you serious? This is a profoundly disappointing post from you.
Unions are by far the best positioned to lead us in COLLECTIVE ACTION. Name the time and place and I promise you thousands of non-union workers will be there. But we cannot organize ourselves in a meaningful way here. Half a million non-union accountants and plumbers and engineers and chefs and lawyers and mechanics and receptionists and truck drivers could skip work and assemble in each city/town and it won't mean as much as targeted action from 5000 union workers. But we can do both. But we sure as #### won't if unions don't make the next move here.
This is the best chance you've ever had to prove the value of unions. It may be your last chance. Are you really shrinking from this moment?
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The UCP are trampling on our rights and freedoms. Donate $200 to Alberta NDP and get $150 back on your taxes
Are you serious? This is a profoundly disappointing post from you.
Oh give me a break.
Quote:
Unions are by far the best positioned to lead us in COLLECTIVE ACTION. Name the time and place and I promise you thousands of non-union workers will be there.
Do you seriously think that all, or even a majority of non-union workers, are going to walk out on their jobs and risk being fired with cause too? Yes or no.
Quote:
But we cannot organize ourselves in a meaningful way here. Half a million non-union accountants and plumbers and engineers and chefs and lawyers and mechanics and receptionists and truck drivers could skip work and assemble in each city/town and it won't mean as much as targeted action from 5000 union workers. But we can do both. But we sure as #### won't if unions don't make the next move here.
You can’t organize yourselves in a meaningful way without unions?
I would argue that the non-union workers who make up a much much larger share of the workforce walking out on their jobs in protest would have a much larger impact than the much smaller share of the workforce who are union members doing so would.
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This is the best chance you've ever had to prove the value of unions. It may be your last chance. Are you really shrinking from this moment?
Actually there’s lots of data to show the value of unions that predates all of this.
It’s not about “shrinking in the moment”, I’m just checking the unrealistic expectations people seem to have. Unions members don’t have the right to just strike on a whim and what many in this province are expecting of them needs far more support from the general population than just being keyboard warriors.
I would never shy away from fighting the absurdity that is the current ruling party but what you are expecting is going to have long term repercussions on the labour movement that you don’t appear to understand.
If the general public shows real proof that they care enough about the charter rights of teachers are being trampled by an ideologically driven government to do something of substance, I’ll change my tune. And I honestly hope that that happens. But based on recent developments in this province I highly doubt that the majority of the general public are willing to do much to help workers getting railroaded so long as it isn’t happening to them directly.
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If you teachers can get those guys on board, you’ll be golden.
I’m not even joking. And that isn’t an endorsement of everything the freedom convoy has done in the past.
I’ve taught students who trend that way. And I’m not joking when I’m saying that people who shout freedumb rhetoric are generally in the lowest level courses like Science 24 and Math 14. I honestly just try to teach them basic life skills so that they don’t get scammed in the future. I can barely get them to read at a junior high level, let alone try to help expand their thinking.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hockey Fan #751
The Oilers won't finish 14th in the West forever.
Eventually a couple of expansion teams will be added which will nestle the Oilers into 16th.
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I’ve taught students who trend that way. And I’m not joking when I’m saying that people who shout freedumb rhetoric are generally in the lowest level courses like Science 24 and Math 14. I honestly just try to teach them basic life skills so that they don’t get scammed in the future. I can barely get them to read at a junior high level, let alone try to help expand their thinking.
If someone was able to convince the adult crowd in that group to fight as hard as they did for a lost cause, I’m confident someone can convince them to do the same for a righteous one. Maybe I’m just naturally over optimistic.
Demetrios was clearly pandering to his base, two things I want to clear up here:
- the unprecedented population growth is due to UCP’s “Alberta is calling” campaign. He clearly tried to deflect their incompetence at anticipating population growth by blaming the feds as usual.
- we rejected enhanced mediation because they literally barred the mediator from discussing classroom size and complexity. Of course he wouldn’t mention that part.
I’m glad she didn’t take the bait to debating these with limited time, and moved on to tougher questions. Teacher retention will be a major problem. As already heard from some teachers here, lots of teachers considering early retirement. A buddy of mine who teaches internationally wanted to move back next year, but said he now won’t if Danielle remains as premier.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hockey Fan #751
The Oilers won't finish 14th in the West forever.
Eventually a couple of expansion teams will be added which will nestle the Oilers into 16th.
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Demetrios was clearly pandering to his base, two things I want to clear up here:
- the unprecedented population growth is due to UCP’s “Alberta is calling” campaign. He clearly tried to deflect their incompetence at anticipating population growth by blaming the feds as usual.
- we rejected enhanced mediation because they literally barred the mediator from discussing classroom size and complexity. Of course he wouldn’t mention that part.
I’m glad she didn’t take the bait to debating these with limited time, and moved on to tougher questions. Teacher retention will be a major problem. As already heard from some teachers here, lots of teachers considering early retirement. A buddy of mine who teaches internationally wanted to move back next year, but said he now won’t if Danielle remains as premier.
I support early retirement.
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Do you seriously think that all, or even a majority of non-union workers, are going to walk out on their jobs and risk being fired with cause too? Yes or no.
You can’t organize yourselves in a meaningful way without unions?
I would argue that the non-union workers who make up a much much larger share of the workforce walking out on their jobs in protest would have a much larger impact than the much smaller share of the workforce who are union members doing so would.
Actually there’s lots of data to show the value of unions that predates all of this.
It’s not about “shrinking in the moment”, I’m just checking the unrealistic expectations people seem to have. Unions members don’t have the right to just strike on a whim and what many in this province are expecting of them needs far more support from the general population than just being keyboard warriors.
I would never shy away from fighting the absurdity that is the current ruling party but what you are expecting is going to have long term repercussions on the labour movement that you don’t appear to understand.
If the general public shows real proof that they care enough about the charter rights of teachers are being trampled by an ideologically driven government to do something of substance, I’ll change my tune. And I honestly hope that that happens. But based on recent developments in this province I highly doubt that the majority of the general public are willing to do much to help workers getting railroaded so long as it isn’t happening to them directly.
I guess we’ll find out tomorrow afternoon. Having read more about the timeline of how this played out in Ontario I’m slightly more optimistic that this can play out somewhat slowly. But smith and the UCP are way more unreasonable the Ford and his merry band of dip####s, so I think we may need to hit back even harder.
But honestly I was pretty dismayed to see our resident union booster lament the apparent weakness of unions at this critical moment. So apologies for lashing out. But I still think you took a weak line of argument there. You’ve never had more people willing to stand up for worker rights than this moment…it’s odd to hear you take a defeatist course and bemoan the lack of support
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The UCP are trampling on our rights and freedoms. Donate $200 to Alberta NDP and get $150 back on your taxes
If we can't somehow get rid of Marlaina and her UCP stooges in the next election, I've already told my wife that we need to seriously consider moving to BC. The affordability issues will suck, but with the curriculum changes already in place and now insulting every teacher in the province with an unprecedented FU bill, I don't want to subject my kids to an education system that is purposefully being setup to fail by the government. We're gonna start saving like mad over the next 2-3 years so we can hopefully escape to a not-so-insane province should the troglodyte get re-elected
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I’ll admit I’ve been engaging at unhealthy levels on the internet since the strike. As I am unconstitutionally returning to work and have less time online, I just want to thank all of you for the conversations and support. I am usually a lurker on Calgarypuck, but I felt I needed to advocate for public education. My mental health deteriorated significantly these past 22 days, but this community really kept me sane in an insane time.
I especially appreciated that this community remained action focused and signed up to become canvassers, donated to a cause, wrote to MLA’s, signed petitions, and helped others do so as well. I really believe sustained action and not being afraid to engage in uncomfortable conversations will be key at this point.
Thank you all for helping me see that not everyone is uninformed or apathetic.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hockey Fan #751
The Oilers won't finish 14th in the West forever.
Eventually a couple of expansion teams will be added which will nestle the Oilers into 16th.
Last edited by Point Blank; 10-28-2025 at 11:55 PM.
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If we can't somehow get rid of Marlaina and her UCP stooges in the next election, I've already told my wife that we need to seriously consider moving to BC. The affordability issues will suck, but with the curriculum changes already in place and now insulting every teacher in the province with an unprecedented FU bill, I don't want to subject my kids to an education system that is purposefully being setup to fail by the government. We're gonna start saving like mad over the next 2-3 years so we can hopefully escape to a not-so-insane province should the troglodyte get re-elected
A lot of people here mocked me for leaving earlier this year. We still have a place in Calgary, I'm here for a few weeks right now, but we're considering transitioning our Canadian home to Halifax so when we come back full time again it's not to this backwards America junior. We'll see what the next elections hold, hopefully the new PC party gains enough traction to either take over or split the vote.
I used to love Alberta. Absolute shame what the Wildrose did to this place.
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I guess we’ll find out tomorrow afternoon. Having read more about the timeline of how this played out in Ontario I’m slightly more optimistic that this can play out somewhat slowly. But smith and the UCP are way more unreasonable the Ford and his merry band of dip####s, so I think we may need to hit back even harder.
How do you propose we hit back harder without the same resources and support that unions in Ontario have?
Quote:
But honestly I was pretty dismayed to see our resident union booster lament the apparent weakness of unions at this critical moment. So apologies for lashing out. But I still think you took a weak line of argument there. You’ve never had more people willing to stand up for worker rights than this moment…it’s odd to hear you take a defeatist course and bemoan the lack of support
I think your feelings of dismay aren’t the result of my argument but rather your lack of understanding of what you’re actually asking for people to do. The labour movement survives by knowing when to live to fight another day.
In my opinion this government appears to be dogmatic enough to actually take actions against public sector employees(and their unions) who participate in a general strike. There will also most definitely be private employers that will too. The reality is those things will deplete union resources with or without achieving any objectives.
There are (slow)legal mechanisms to deal with the UCP’s most recent stupidity, there’s also a provincial election in less than 2 years and there is also the option of a general strike in opposition of a government that has already used the Notwithstanding clause to take actions against its employees and citizens who dared to defy them. Actions that would otherwise violate the charter of rights and freedom. Do you really think this government would hesitate to use it again?
Focusing on the election and voting this party out should be the focus as it would give the Albertans who are frustrated with the UCP’s decision the outcome they want most with the least amount of collateral damage. That outcome being to reverse their UCP’s decision and to eliminate their ability to do it again. Court challenges will happen one way or another so let those go ahead and in the meantime union and non-union workers need to get the general public on board with saying enough is enough at the ballot box.
Your frustrations are completely valid, I can even understand why you’re frustrated with what I’ve posted. The position we’re in sucks but it’s not beyond repair. Your idea for a quick fix would be nice but it’s not likely to play out the way you expect it to because of where we’re at politically in this province. That doesn’t mean we can’t weather this storm and put ourselves in a position to be able to use your plan effectively down the road though.
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What exactly do you want unions to do here that non-union workers can’t also do?
While it’s nice to see that some people are starting to realize the benefits unions can have in standing up against and deterring government overreach, expecting the province that has the strongest restrictions on unionizing, and as a result also the lowest workforce union density in the country to now suddenly be saved by unions alone without the full support of the public is a risky plan.
I think one reasons unions would be interested in an illegal strike right now is that we now know the government stance to dealing with unions in the future. It will be sign are offer or we legislate using the NWC.
Perhaps they can wait to see if there is a political cost via recall but as of now public unions have lost all bargaining power as they will be NWCd back.
This is effectively Raegan vs the ATC which led to the decline of union power in the US
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Students at Crowsnest High are staging a walkout tomorrow.
I think a lot of schools are going to have walkouts the next couple of days. Of course the UCP worshippers will say the teachers put them up to this but the students have been organizing on their own before going back to school and having contact with the teachers.
