FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 03, 1998
LABOUR DAY MESSAGE 1998
EDMONTON--In its annual Labour Day message, the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) highlighted that the economic climate in Alberta is creating both opportunities and challenges for working people in Alberta. "This Labour Day, Albertans have a lot to celebrate – and a lot to be concerned about," says AFL President Audrey Cormack. "On the positive side, the past twelve months have been filled important victories for workers. They have begun to make up for some of the ground they lost during the past few years." Cormack pointed to public sector workers, who recently won back their 5% wage reductions plus interest, as an important development. Private sector settlements have been even slightly higher than the public sector. "It looks like we’ve turned the corner on wages and benefits. Workers are demanding their fair share of the prosperity. And rightly so!" "This year’s successful union settlements will mean higher wages for other Albertans in the future," Cormack noted. "Unionized workplaces tend to lead the way on settlements. I expect we will see in the next year many non-unionized workplaces giving similar raises to remain competitive. I am encouraged by this," noted Cormack. "After years of lobbying and pressure, unions and community groups were finally successful this summer to convince the government to increase the minimum wage. We won a partial victory. The minimum wage is still too low, but at least we’ve taken a step in the right direction." Cormack had also been hoping to list the recent pay equity ruling for federal employees as a victory, but the Liberal government’s decision to appeal has delayed resolution of this 14 year dispute even longer. "But the news has not all been good for workers. The economy may be booming, but many employers are still demanding concessions from their employees, even though profits are higher than ever." "At the same time, statistics show that many Albertans are not benefiting from the province’s current economic prosperity." Cormack pointed out that wages for hourly workers are 15 per cent lower today than in 1983, after adjusting for inflation. "Part-time and contract work is also on the rise. Full-time jobs are slowly being replaced by poorly-paid self-employment." Self-employed persons make only 83% of what employees earn. Micro-business operators (one-person self-employment) make 60% of regular employees. "These are troubling trends. It’s clear there is much left to do to make sure working people in this province receive a living wage. It reminds us why unions are still so important. No one else is going to fight to protect the interests of working people." Looking at the future, Cormack observed a number of challenges that unions will have to face entering the new century. "In the short term and in the long term, we have a lot of battles to fight. We have to fight against privatization of municipal services like water and power. We have to fight against privatization in health care and underfunding in educaiton. We also have to fight against federal downloading to the provinces." "We also have to keep fighting to make sure working people are not run over by the so-called globalization of our economy." Cormack sees that in coming years, the labour movement will shift. She predicts a growing number of younger workers and service sector jobs joining unions. She also thinks bargaining issues will change. "Unions will be bargaining increasingly for respect and dignity, such as increased workplace safety, the right to bargain freely, pay equity, anti-harassment policies and for a greater voice in decision-making." Cormack admits that there are many roadblocks and hurdles ahead for working people. But she says the labour movement in Alberta is strong enough to weather the storm. "In many ways, we are living in troubled times," she says. "Working people will be faced with all sorts of pressures as we enter the 21st century. I’m confident we’ll be up to the challenge."
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