Good evening and welcome. My name is Audrey Cormack and I'm president of the Alberta Federation of Labour.

I'm not here tonight to make a long speech. But I would like say a few words on three topics.

First, I would like to thank all the people involved in the May Day committee.

They have all put in a lot of hours over the past few months organizing this dinner and all the other May Day activities that were held this week.

On behalf of the AFL officers and the AFL executive council, I'd like ask everyone here to join me in thanking the committee. Thank you for a job well done ...

Tonight, I'd also like to say a few words about May Day, the International Workers' Day.

Working people have been celebrating May Day for over one hundred years now.

It started as a day to remember all those people who fought -- and sometimes died -- for things like the eight-hour day and laws prohibiting child labour.

Today, May Day continues to be a time to remember the struggle and to celebrate our victories and achievements.

It's a time for working people to remind the world -- and themselves -- that everything around us -- from skyscrapers to pick-up trucks -- was built by the hands of working people.

On May Day, we are also reminded that working people -- no matter where they live or where they work -- share many of the same concerns and face many of the same barriers.

Whether you're from Canada or Cambodia, England or India -- working people are confronted by many of the same challenges.

One of the central messages of May Day has always been that we can more easily deal with the problems that face us by standing together ... by acting collectively.

Back in the 19th century, when we were fighting for shorter work days, improved working conditions and legal recognition for unions its was our solidarity that gave us strength ... it was our solidarity that allowed us to improve conditions for working people.

Today union solidarity is still important -- in fact, it may be even more important than ever.

As we all know, the political and economic climate here in Canada and around the world is changing -- and not for the better.

In many ways, the new globalized economy is taking us back to the 19th century. Employers in all industries are using global competition as an excuse to lower wages, reduce benefits and undermine things like health and safety regulations.

At the same time, politicians like Ralph Klein and Mike Harris are chipping away at things like public education and Medicare -- programs which the labour movement helped to build.

There is probably not a single person in this room who isn't deeply concerned by these developments. And there's absolutely no doubt that these are troubling times.

But it's at times like these -- times of frustration and confrontation -- that we need to hear the May Day message more than ever.

The May Day message tells us that we can accomplish great thing when we work together. It is a message of solidarity and a message of hope.

This year, I am proud to say, the Alberta labour movement has upheld the May Day tradition. By acting in solidarity, we were able to win some extremely important victories.

By acting together, hospital workers in Edmonton won their battle with the Capital Health authority and the provincial government.

By acting together, we were able to force the government to back away from their plans to privatize hospitals.

And on the international front, by acting together, we were able to derail the MAI talks.

These are just some of the victories that were won as a result of collective action this year.

But behind every successful campaign like these are committed individuals -- individuals who help make our movement work.

And that brings me to my third and final topic.

Tonight, it is my great pleasure to recognize one individual who has made many great contributions to the Alberta Labour movement.

As most of you know, every year at this time, the AFL presents the Solidarity Award to a long-time union activist who has made a mark in Alberta.

This year, the award is going to Sister Carol Anne Dean.

Carol Anne is the person who, as AUPE president, led her union through some of its most difficult days.

She fought against the Klein government's budget cuts. She fought against massive public sector layoffs. She fought to save her members jobs. And she fought to maintain the quality of public services.

Carol Anne took charge of AUPE at a very difficult time -- and despite all the forces lined up against her, she did her best to fight the good fight.

But Carol Anne's activism wasn't confined to AUPE.

Back in 1985 and 1986, she was also coordinator of the Change the Law Campaign. In that position, she helped lead the fight for a fair labour law and better treatment for unions here in Alberta.

In 1987, Carol Anne was also an active member of the committee that helped to revive May Day celebrations here in Alberta. It wouldn't be too much of a stretch to say that we probably wouldn't be sitting here today -- at an official May Day celebration -- if it wasn't for Carol Anne's efforts a decade ago.

Carol Anne was fighter then -- she was a fighter as president of AUPE-- and she is still a fighter today.

Carol Anne, it gives me great pleasure to present the 1998 Solidarity Award to you.

On behalf of the AFL, please accept our thanks for a job well done.

Thank you for your dedication and hard work. Thank you for you vision and commitment. And thank you for your leadership.

Your efforts have helped to make the labour movement in Alberta stronger.

Just one final note. I want to remind all of you about tomorrow's march and rally. It's extremely important that we have a good showing -- so I expect to see all of you at Giovani Caboto Park tomorrow at 11:30.

Remember your banners and signs. And bring your friends. It will be a great opportunity to show some union pride! Solidarity!