FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 2, 2001

EDMONTON –More than three hundred union leaders and activists from around the province will be in Edmonton tomorrow to participate in the opening day of the Alberta Federation of Labour’s biennial convention.

During the course of the four-day meeting, delegates will focus their discussions on the linkages that exist between democracy, globalization and workers rights.

The convention is being held May 3-6 at the Crowne Plaza-Chateau Lacombe Hotel in Edmonton, which is located at 10111 Bellamy Hill.

Highlights for the first day of convention (Thursday, May 3) include the following:

Out-going AFL president Audrey Cormack will deliver her address to delegates at 10:30 a.m. This will be Cormack’s final formal address as AFL president. After six years as president, she will be stepping down at the end of this convention.

At 11 a.m., the AFL will present a research paper entitled "Losing Ground: The Slow Decline of Workers’ Rights and Privileges in Alberta 1975-2000." The report shows in detail how conditions for most working people in the province have actually declined over the past 25 years, despite strong growth in the economy and business profits.

Former B.C. Premier Dave Barrett will speak to the convention at 11:30 a.m. Barrett will talk about the important role unions have to play in promoting democracy and protecting working people from the negative impacts of corporate globalization.

Michael Fraser, Canadian Director of the United Food and Commercial Workers union (UFCW) will address the convention at 2:30 p.m. Fraser will talk about his union’s highly successful efforts to organize young workers in the service industry. UFCW is one of North America’s largest private sector unions.

In addition to hearing from speakers and receiving reports, delegates will discuss resolutions on a wide range of issues. All of Thursday’s convention activities will take place in the hotel’s main ballroom.

All reporters and media personnel are asked to register at the AFL Convention office, located in the Lacombe Room. No one will be allowed on the convention floor without a formal media credential.

For more information call:
Gil McGowan, AFL Communications @ 780-483-3021