The Alberta Federation of Labour celebrates 100 years

Sat, Jun 16 - AFL Celebration in the ParkFort Edmonton Park, $5

On June 14 in 1912 the Alberta Federation of Labour held its founding convention. One hundred years later the City of Edmonton marked the contribution of the AFL to the community by proclaiming the week "Alberta Federation of Labour Centennial Celebration Week." As part of a year-long celebration of labour history, President of the AFL Gil McGowan and Mayor Mandel took the opportunity to speak publicly about not only the historical role of unions, but the importance of the labour movement in the political context of 2012.

"If we think back 100 years we would be appalled by the environment in which we worked and the strides. It's a great credit to the commitment to the members who worked so hard for so many years to achieve the rights and freedoms we have today, things we take for granted," said Mandel in delivering the proclamation.

When the AFL first came together, miners and tradespeople in southern Alberta campaigned first against child labour and an improvement in the coal mines which were some of the most deadly in the world. But Mandel also looked to today's reality in the need for labour movements."Many in Alberta are working very hard to make ends meet and so we have to work hard to make progress for those Albertans," he said.

Currently, the AFL represents over 145 000 workers today and campaigns for improved working conditions for groups such as temporary foreign workers. Made up of 29 unions across the province, the AFL has won historical campaigns against provincial right-to-work legislation and participated in the coalition against private health care reforms in the mid-90s.

"It is important to celebrate 100 years of contributions," said Amarjeet Sohi, city councillor for Ward 12. "The more we celebrate the more we understand the role unions play in our lives."Before becoming a councillor Sohi was a bus driver and president of the Amalgamated Transit Union. Celebrating the AFL this week means more to him than history, marking the contributions that labour groups make to the community. "It enhances community spirit and well being so it's important to recognize those contributions," says Sohi. "I see the value they bring not just to the work site but to the community in the form of better wages and in turn people's quality of life, which helps the economy. So it's a cycle and the role labour plays in our lives is part of that interconnection."

Vue Weekly,Wedn, June 13, 2012

Byline: Samantha Power

A century of fighting for workers' rights is explored in a display that opened this week at Bonnyville & District Museum (click here for a sample display).

"The labour movement has been a vital player in shaping the province of Alberta and this display will show some of the important work done by unions," says Gil McGowan, president of the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL), which celebrates its centennial this year.

"The AFL was created in 1912 by workers and farmers who saw the need for an organization that would protect their common interests and make their communities stronger. It's important, 100 years later, to remember the role unions played in building this province – and that Alberta was at the forefront of the national struggle for workers' rights," he says.

"That struggle continues as we see moves to drive down wages under the federal government's Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program, to restrict Employment Insurance (EI) payments to laid-off workers and to keep people in the workplace until the age of 67 under proposed changes to Old Age Security (OAS) rules."

The display at the Bonnyville & District Museum at 4401 - 54th Avenue, Bonnyville, opened this week and runs until the end of August. It includes a display of 12 separate panels, each focusing on a separate theme in Alberta labour history.

It is one of a number of displays being staged around the province in conjunction with the centennial of the AFL, which today represents 145,000 workers. The site of other displays include the Royal Alberta Museum, Ft. McMurray Library, Hinton Municipal Library, the Provincial Archives, the Aviation Hall of Fame (Wetaskiwin), the Wetaskiwin & District Heritage Museum, the Canmore Museum & Geoscience Centre, the Red Deer Museum & Archives, the Olds Library, the Glenbow Institute, the Crowsnest Museum, the Galt Museum, the Medicine Hat Esplanade and the Medalta Museum in Medicine Hat (Clayworks Society).

The museum and library displays are part of a year-long, province-wide celebration of the AFL centennial. Juno-nominated folksinger Maria Dunn is part way through an extensive concert tour of the province, singing songs about labour and Alberta.

The highlight of the celebrations will be a Celebration in the Park on June 16, when thousands are expected to attend Fort Edmonton Park for a full day of events for adults and children.

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CONTACT:

• Gil McGowan, AFL president, 780-218-9888.

• Kirsti Tamblyn, Ground Zero Productions at 780-420-1400 gzp@shaw.ca

A century of fighting for workers' rights is explored in a display that opening today at Edmonton City Hall.

"The labour movement has been a vital player in shaping the city of Edmonton and the province of Alberta. This display will show some of the important work done by unions," says Gil McGowan, president of the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL), which celebrates its centennial this year.

"The AFL was created in 1912 by workers and farmers who saw the need for an organization that would protect their common interests and make their communities stronger. It's important, 100 years later, to remember the role unions played in building this city and this province – and that Alberta was at the forefront of the national struggle for workers' rights," he says.

"That struggle continues as we see moves to drive down wages under the federal government's Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program, to restrict Employment Insurance (EI) payments to laid-off workers and to keep people in the workplace until the age of 67 under proposed changes to Old Age Security (OAS) rules."

The display at opens today (Friday, June 1) and runs until June 12. It includes a display of 12 separate panels, each focusing on a separate theme in Alberta labour history.

It is one of a number of displays being staged around the province in conjunction with the centennial of the AFL, which today represents 145,000 workers. The site of other displays include the Royal Alberta Museum, Fort McMurray Library, Hinton Municipal Library, the Provincial Archives, the Aviation Hall of Fame (Wetaskiwin), the Wetaskiwin & District Heritage Museum, the Canmore Museum & Geoscience Centre, the Red Deer Museum & Archives, the Olds Library, the Glenbow Institute, the Crowsnest Museum, the Galt Museum, the Medicine Hat Esplanade, the Medalta Museum in Medicine Hat (Clayworks Society) and the Bonnyville & District Museum.

The displays are part of a year-long, province-wide celebration of the AFL centennial. Juno-nominated folksinger Maria Dunn is part way through an extensive concert tour of the province, singing songs about labour and Alberta. A labour history conference is being organized by the Alberta Labour History Institute from June 13-15.

The highlight of the celebrations will be a Celebration in the Park on June 16, when thousands are expected to attend Fort Edmonton Park for a full day of events for adults and children. The day's events will also include an AFL convention.

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CONTACT: Gil McGowan, AFL president, 780-218-9888

High resolution photos from the display available for download:

Photo 1: Navvies lay railway track in southern Alberta during the First World War. Photo courtesy of the Alberta Labour History Institute.

Photo 2: A woman works at the Medalta Potteries in Medicine Hat in the 1950s. Photo courtesy of Medalta History Clay District.

Photo 3: Jo-Ann Kolmes, a member of the Alberta Labour History Insitute, sets up the labour-history display running at Edmonton City Hall from June 1-12, 2012.

Photo 4:  Winston Gereluk, of the Alberta Federation of Labour, sets up the labour-history display running at Edmonton City Hall from June 1-12, 2012.

Photo 5: The labour-history display at Edmonton City Hall is a big hit with visitors. The display runs June1-12, 2012.

The city of Edmonton is honouring the 100th anniversary of a local union with it's very own dedicated week of recognition.

Mayor Stephen Mandel and numerous councillors were on hand at City Hall Monday to declare June 11 to 17 Alberta Federation of Labour Centennial Celebration Week.

"It's to recognize that it's the 100th anniversary, and the contributions they've made to the city and to the workers in the province," said Mandel.

The Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) was first formed by workers and farmers in 1912.

Today, the AFL represents 145,000 workers across the province, comprised of 29 unions from the public and private sector.

"We're very proud of what our organization has been able to accomplish over the last 100 years," said AFL President Gill McGowan.

"Many of the battles that were started by my predecessors that many years ago have been won, frankly."

Initial AFL objectives included ending child labour, setting a minimum wage, establishing occupational health and safety regulations, and hammering out a standard 40-hour work week.

McGowan said that while workers are better off as a result of ALF's work over the past century, both the current federal and provincial governments threaten worker rights.

"The (Stephen) Harper government has used back to work legislation not once, not twice, but five times just in the last year alone. And now they're considering legislation that is going to make it much more difficult for unions to do the job that they need to do on behalf of working people," he said.

McGowan also points to election platform policies from Premier Alison Redford and the Alberta Progressive Conservatives that aim to close "frivolous lawsuit loopholes," and give union members the ability to opt-out of union dues that "fund activities unrelated to collective bargaining and grievance administration."

Other policy points include laws that make it mandatory for the AFL to provide annual financial statements for members to show "how dues were spent in the previous year."

"As we come together today to celebrate 100 years, we also have to remind ourselves that there are battles that still need to be fought in order to protect the right of workers to join together in unions and bargain collectively," said McGowan.

The week of celebration includes a large gathering at Fort Edmonton Park June 16 that includes games for kids, a senior's tea, BBQ buffet dinner and a salute to the labour tribute.

For more information, visit www.afl.org.

Edmonton Sun, Mon Jun 11 2012 Byline: Tanara McLean

Centennial of Alberta Federation of Labour marked with great day at Fort Edmonton Park

Finding a fun event for the whole family just got a whole lot easier, thanks to the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) and Alberta unions.

The AFL is celebrating its centennial, and the highlight of a year of events around the province will be a full day of activities for all Albertans to enjoy at Fort Edmonton Park on June 16.

"We've spent 100 years building a better life for working Albertans and building a better province. We figured it's time to party – that's why we have planned the Party of the Century at the park," says Gil McGowan, president of the AFL, which represents 145,000 workers.

Fort Edmonton Park offers visitors experience a taste of life in Alberta between 1846 and 1929, with costumed interpreters telling stories, answering questions and bringing history alive. Visitors can also take a ride on steam train or visit the Midway for rides, games and more fun.

To mark the centennial of the AFL, a number of extra activities are also planned, including a series of concerts by award-winning singers and musicians, as well as lots of activities for kids. All of these activities are included in the cost of admission to the park. The AFL and the City of Edmonton are making 4,000 park admission tickets available to members and invited guests at a reduced price of only $5. These are available by contacting the AFL at 1-800-661-3995 or at afl@afl.org.

Musical performers include:

• Maria Dunn, a storyteller through song who has been nominated for Juno and Canadian Folk Music Awards. She'll perform a special show called Troublemakers, which documents the history of working people in Alberta from 1900 to 1950, depicting the resilience and hope that carried them through experiences of immigration, internment, exploitation and the Great Depression;

• Souljah Fyah, a Juno-nominated Edmonton reggae band that has been honoured with a Western Canada Music Award, Canadian Reggae Music Awards and Reggae Music Achievement Awards;

• Audio/Rocketry, an acoustic, folk/punk group that has been described as "combining a DIY punk ethos and a love for roots music";

• The Rault Brothers Band, led by Lionel Rault, who has been one of Alberta's favourite folk-roots musicians for 30 years and has shared the stage with performers including John Hiatt, Taj Mahal, J.J. Cale, John Lee Hooker, Bo Diddley, the Staple Singers and more.

• Terry Morrison, whose music spans the range from jazzy folk to country. She has toured extensively throughout Canada and the U.S. and has performed at many Canadian folk fests including Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto's Mariposa Festival, Vancouver Island Music Fest, Frostbite in the Yukon and both the North and South Country Fairs of Alberta; and

• Notre Dame des Bananes: Often called "Edmonton's most dangerous choir," the Notre Dame des Bananes has brought together trade unionists, social activists, socialists and social democrats since it was formed in 1979. Since then, it has been delighting crowds with songs (many written by choir members) of protest, social justice and trade struggles, victories, heroes and villains.

Events for children include:

• Face painters;

• Balloon makers;

• Pony races;

• Plinko game;

• Sack races; and

• Crafts.

"Albertans have always worked hard, but we know how to have a good time, too," says McGowan. "I can't imagine a better way for families to learn about what we have achieved and have a great time than attending our Party of the Century!"

TIME: 10:30 a.m. – midnight, Saturday, June 16

LOCATION: Fort Edmonton Park

EVENT: Party of the Century! AFL celebrates centennial with full day of events for the whole family to enjoy.

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CONTACT: Gil McGowan, AFL president, 780-218-9888

The first 100 years

The Alberta Federation of Labour is dedicated to improving the lives of Alberta's working people, union members and non-members alike. We seek to represent all those who must work to earn a livelihood. Together workers share a need for security, safety, a living wage, a life beyond work, and a society that puts the needs of the many ahead of the needs of a few. Only by banding together into unions and organizations such as the AFL can they hope to keep the rights and protections they require and to win new ones.

The next 100 years

Those who came before left a tremendous legacy: laws that provide for a minimum wage and maximum hours of work, weekends and statutory holidays, Worker's Compensation, health and safety, pensions and health care, and so much more. The challenge facing the AFL and the entire labour movement during the next 100 years is to protect and build on this inheritance and to meet new challenges - unprotected farm workers, temporary foreign workers, invasion of privacy, new workplace hazards and occupational disease, to name a few.

If we approach our task with energy and commitment, we will succeed!

780.483.3021 www.afl.org

The Edmonton Journal, Friday August 31 2012

When we talk about the history of Alberta we usually think of wide-open prairies, cattle ranching and oil -- seldom do historians talk about the men and women of the labour movement who helped Alberta grow and become prosperous. As part of this year's birthday celebrations, the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) is helping Albertans learn about the province's rich labour history. The Alberta Federation of Labour was born on June 14, 1912.

Preparations for the centennial began five years ago when the AFL joined forces with the Alberta Labour History Institute (ALHI) to plan the celebration. They named their venture Project 2012.

As a retiree, I had time to help out. Workers were the focus in the history we did. We interviewed hundreds of workers all over the province and recorded amazing stories of struggles, victories and losses. I had fun setting up the cameras and lights, filming and even conducting the actual interviews, and I learned a lot.

I learned that in the early 1900s, very active, progressive and sometimes radical groups of workers stood their ground against vicious attacks by employers supported by governments and police. They fought for the eight-hour workday, union recognition, health and safety concerns and more, and they won many of those battles for us.

Coal miners, laundry workers, garment factory workers, public- and private-sector workers, meat packers and many more painted a much different picture than how the history of our province is usually portrayed.

An ambulance driver in Calgary talked about how cutthroat the business was in the old days when private operators ruled. He told stories about the race to get to the "victims" and how fisticuffs were often used to decide which ambulance would take the patient to the hospital. Getting that pickup was the only way they would get paid. As I listened I couldn't help but think how lucky we are that he and others fought to change things.

We also recorded the memories of workers who were involved in more recent events in Alberta's labour history, like the Nurses and Postal workers strikes in the '80s, the Gainers and Fletchers' strikes of 1986 and the Calgary laundry workers strike of 1995.

The stories were transcribed and used in pamphlets, DVDs, posters, a website and included in a book on Alberta's labour history entitled Working People in Alberta: A History. It is published by Athabasca University and is a compilation of both academic and trade union authors. The book starts with stories of Native work and moves through the century.

The celebrations started in Medicine Hat on May 3 and continued up to the main event of June 16 with the "Celebration in the Park" at Fort Edmonton.

Some of the events were held at the Calgary Labour Temple on 11 Avenue SE, the site of many of Alberta's prominent labour moments. The temple was the birthplace of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) -- predecessor to the New Democratic Party (NDP) -- in 1932. Inside its walls representatives of many groups, including unions, decided to hold the CCF founding convention in Regina, Saskatchewan -- commonly known as the Regina Manifesto.

In Lethbridge, where the founding convention of the AFL was held in June 1912, the Labour Council joined with the Galt Museum to sponsor a concert by Canadian singer-songwriter Maria Dunn and a picnic in the park, which had a great turnout in a snowstorm.

The Edmonton Labour Council dedicated a monument as a tribute to families of workers injured or killed on the job.

Twenty-five museums and libraries across the province mounted labour history displays in honour of the AFL centennial. Many of the displays are still up. Red Deer is mounting a large stainless steel disc engraved with images of labour on a downtown building.

One of the highlights of the celebration was a labour history conference sponsored by the Alberta Labour History Institute June 13-15 in Edmonton, which was followed by a well-attended mini-non-delegated AFL convention in the Park at Fort Edmonton on June 16. Over 900 attended the celebration dinner.

These and the many other AFL centennial events held in communities around the province helped Albertans remember and learn about our rich and successful labour history. It also reminded me, as a union retiree, that I still have a lot to offer, and my efforts can still help make a difference for others.

Retiree Matters is a monthly column written by members of the Congress of Union Retirees of Canada (CURC) that explores issues relevant to retirees, senior citizens, their families and their communities. CURC acts as an advocacy organization to ensure that the concerns of union retirees and senior citizens are heard throughout Canada.

Rabble.ca, Mon Aug 13 2012Byline: Susan Keeley for Retiree Matters

The Alberta Federation of Labour celebrated a milestone Saturday.

The AFL is marking its 100th birthday by throwing a party at Fort Edmonton Park.

A small group of railway workers and trades people formed what was to become the modern-day AFL back in June of 1912.

President Gil McGowan says the group, which is made up of unions from both public and private sectors across the province, has been a pivotal support for Alberta's middle class.

"When we first got together those long years ago there was no minimum wage, there was no occupational health and safety rules. It was a hard time, wages were low, jobs were insecure and that was the big goal of the federation at that time, to bring some respect and dignity to the working people," McGowan said.

"Looking back over the hundred years we can say that our movement has been tremendously successful in bringing dignity and respect to working people."

The AFL said today's celebration was also a time to recommit to the labour movement.

McGowan said rights that have been won must be maintained and expanded.

"Many gains we've won can easily be lost," he said.

"We feel that there is a threat because we have governments that want to bring American-style anti-union labour laws north of the border. We have to commit ourselves to stop that from happening."

Many Edmontonians came out to celebrate 100 years of union victories in the province.

There was a parade, family-friendly activities and live musical performances.

The AFL represents more than 150,000 workers.

Centennial festivities run until 11:30 p.m. Saturday.

ctv.ca, Sat Jun 16 2012

Thousands join AFL centennial celebration as Harper wages war on workers

Thousands of union members, supporters and families from all over Alberta sent a message to political leaders across the country today: We've been here for 100 years and we're here to stay.

"This amazing turnout today is a reminder of the power of unions – power that is derived from its members," says Gil McGowan, president of the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL), which celebrated its centennial with the Party of the Century at Fort Edmonton Park today (Saturday).

More than 3,000 people bought tickets to the park to join the celebration, which included a bagpiper-led parade and activities for families including kids' games, face-painting, pony races, sack races and crafts. There was also a stellar lineup of musical performances during the day, with concerts from artists including Maria Dunn, Souljah Fyah, Audio/Rocketry, The Rault Brothers Band, Terry Morrison and Notres Dames des Bananes.

"Workers are under attack on multiple fronts in Canada today, but unions are ready, able and willing to put up a vigorous defence of all working people, whether they are union members or not," says McGowan.

"For 100 years, the Alberta Federation of Labour has fought to build a better life for working people and a better province. Much of what makes this province a great place to work, to live and to raise our families has been brought to us by union members. Unions have led the fight for fair wages, safe workplaces and an end to discrimination on the basis of race, creed, gender and orientation," he says.

"But don't be fooled into thinking the struggle is over and the battle has been won. Our hard-won victories can be taken away – and that's exactly what the Harper government is trying to do. The Tories have embarked on a low-wage agenda that aims to take money out of the pockets of all working Canadians.

"Changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program, Employment Insurance (EI) rules and Old Age Security (OAS) are designed to make Canadians work for less while corporations reap ever bigger profits. It's unfair. It's un-Canadian. It's unacceptable," says McGowan.

"The Harper government is hell-bent on attacking unions in the same way he is going after charities and environmental groups. Anyone who speaks up, anyone who argues against Tory ideology has become a target. They will be met with vigorous resistance. We've been here for 100 years – and we're not going away now, when people need us."

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For more information:

• Gil McGowan, President, Alberta Federation of Labour (780) 218-9888

The Alberta Federation of Labour is celebrating the work of unions in the province in its centennial anniversary.

President of the AFL Gil McGowan says labour laws and work conditions have improved dramatically in the past 100 years however he has some reservations.

"We are concerned that there're are forces out there, both political and ideological forces that want to tip the playing field more dramatically in favour of employers at the expense of working people.

McGowan says over the last 100 years unions worked to established minimum wage, the 8-hour work day, vacations and pensions.

The AFL is celebrating its centennial down at Fort Edmonton Park Saturday. Festivities go until 11:30pm.

iNews880AM, Sat Jun 16 2012

The City of Edmonton is honouring the 100th anniversary of a local union with its very own dedicated week of recognition.

Mayor Stephen Mandel and numerous councillors were on hand at city hall on Monday to declare June 11 to 17 Alberta Federation of Labour Centennial Celebration Week.

"It's to recognize that it's the 100th anniversary, and the contributions they've made to the city and to the workers in the province," said Mandel.

The Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) was first formed by workers and farmers in 1912.

Today, the AFL represents 145,000 workers across the province, comprised of 29 unions from the public and private sector.

"We're very proud of what our organization has been able to accomplish over the last 100 years," said ALF President Gill McGowan.

"Many of the battles that were started by my predecessors that many years ago have been won, frankly."

Initial AFL objectives included ending child labour, setting a minimum wage, establishing occupational health and safety regulations, and hammering out a standard 40-hour work week.

McGowan said that while workers are better off as a result of AFL's work over the past century, both the current federal and provincial governments threaten worker rights.

"The (Stephen) Harper government has used back to work legislation not once, not twice, but five times just in the last year alone. And now they're considering legislation that is going to make it much more difficult for unions to do the job that they need to do on behalf of working people," he said.

McGowan also points to election platform policies from Premier Alison Redford and the Alberta Progressive Conservatives that aim to close "frivolous lawsuit loopholes," and give union members the ability to opt-out of union dues that "fund activities unrelated to collective bargaining and grievance administration."

Other policy points include laws that make it mandatory for the AFL to provide annual financial statements for members to show "how dues were spent in the previous year."

"As we come together today to celebrate 100 years, we also have to remind ourselves that there are battles that still need to be fought in order to protect the right of workers to join together in unions and bargain collectively," said McGowan.

The week of celebration includes a large gathering at Fort Edmonton Park June 16 that includes games for kids, a seniors tea, BBQ buffet dinner and a salute to labour tribute.

Edmonton Sun, Tues June 14 2012

Two-Tier Minimum Wage

lberta's poorly written two-tier minimum wage system is open to abuse by employers who are taking advantage of these laws to rip off the lowest-paid workers in Alberta. West End Swiss Chalet is one example. For more information see Aug 31 AFL release and backgrounder

AFL's 100 Years

sure to have a look at our insert in the Edmonton Journal on Friday, August 31, 2012 – a special Labour Day message from Gil McGowan and a 10 page special on the past and present struggles of workers in Alberta.

Government trying to erase agricultural workers by no longer reporting farm fatalities

The Alberta government's decision to stop reporting farm fatalities is an attempt to move the issue to the back burner and off the public radar. Farm workers are already left unprotected under health and safety regulations. For more information see Aug 20 AFL release.

Government documents reveal source of Harper's low-wage agenda

nternal federal government documents show the source of Harper's low-wage agenda. Last year, a select group of CEOs and other business leaders were invited by the federal Conservatives to an annual closed-doors conference where they urged the Tories to adopt measures to reduce the pay of Canadian workers, limit union power by enacting U.S.-style right-to-work legislation, and allow two-tier health care. For more information...

 AFL shows government using bogus labour-shortage figures

The government is using bizarre calculations to show a catastrophic "labour shortage" even though their own figures show a labour surplus for every year until 2021. The AFL revealed that the government's own figures show the supply of labour exceeding the demand for labour – a labour surplus – well into the future. For more information see July 25 AFL release and backgrounder

New Study shows billions in lost royalty revenue after Northern Gateway

he Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) and Parkland Institute released a study showing Albertans will let billions slip through their fingers if the Northern Gateway Pipeline is approved and constructed. If Alberta met royalty targets in place when Lougheed was Premier, the province would have $1 trillion in the Heritage Fund by 2039. For more information... see Aug 9 AFL release and backgrounder

Statement from Gil McGowan on the proposed takeover of Nexen by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC)

Does it matter who owns the oil sands? You bet it does!" explains AFL president Gil McGowan. "If foreign governments are allowed to expand in Alberta through companies like China National, they'll develop the oil sands in their own best interest, not in the best interest of Canadians." For more information...July 24 AFL release Urgent Action

UFCW 1118 workers on strike for fair wages and working conditions

FCW 1118 sisters and brothers at Lilydale Foods' North Edmonton shop are on strike for wages comparable to those in other Lilydale plants. The employer refuses to pay wages on par with other Lilydale plants despite the fact that these workers work harder by handling larger and heavier poultry. The employer has cut the number of workers on the floor, meaning those left on the floor have to work harder while their wages have remained the same. Workers are also asking for a guaranteed minimum number of hours per week. There are about 200 workers on strike in shifts of about 75. Support these workers on the picket line at 127 Avenue and 76 Street in Edmonton. Pickets will be going in shifts between Monday and Friday, 6:00 AM and 6:30 PM. Events September2:Calgary Pride Parade

September 3: EDLC Labour Day BBQ

September 3: Labour Day

September 5: Official Opening Historical Display, Alberta Provincial Museum

September 7: AFL Education Committee

September 8: World Literacy Day

September 10: AFL Women's Committee

September 11: AFL WOCAW Committee

October 1: AFL Pride and Solidarity Committee

October 2-3: AFL Executive Council

October 8: Thanksgiving

October  14-17: CEP National Convention

October 17: National Day for the Eradication of Poverty

October 18: Persons Day

November 23-25: Parkland Fall Conference

January 14-19, 2013: AFL Weeklong School

Celebrations are underway across the province to mark the 100th Anniversary of the Alberta Federation of Labour, and Calgary trade unionists have plans to mark the Centennial by drawing attention to their city's rich and dynamic labour history.

A 2012 group of trade union and community activists attached to the Calgary & District Labour Council are launching a "Calgary Labour Walk," a project designed to provide a different perspective on the city's history by focusing on places where events of significance to working people took place.

Group leader Susan Keeley says, "While the recent elections may reinforce the idea that the Calgary area has a conservative mindset, history tells us this has long been the centre of a fight for workers' rights. It's important that Calgarian don't forget their history and how working people built the success this city now enjoys. That's why we organized this labour walk."

The group's research has uncovered fascinating stories about the achievements, losses and victories of the workers who built and maintained our city at the same time as they struggled to build a decent life for themselves and their families.

From the stonemasons who cut sandstone in the 17th Avenue Quarry for some of Calgary's grandest buildings to the municipal workers who ran the city, but also spearheaded the formation of Canada's largest union; from the skilled tradespeople who serviced locomotives in the CPR's Ogden Shops to the hospital workers who repeatedly took the government to task with demands for quality healthcare, the workers' history provides a decidedly different view of the way the City was built and maintained.

A number of the identified sites have been incorporated into a large fold-out map of Calgary with images, locations and descriptions, and thousands of copies printed. It will all be launched at 2:00 p.m. on May 5, 2012 at the CUPE 37 Hall at 5112 3 Street SE, Calgary, where transit buses have been engaged and tour guides trained to take people on a tour of the Labour Walk.

Participants are invited to come back to the CUPE Hall for an evening of food, refreshments and a labour history concert, Troublemakers: Working Albertans, 1900-1950, presented by Maria Dunn as part of a province-wide tour to celebrate the AFL Centennial through song.

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For more information contact:

Susan Keeley, Retired CUPE Representative 403-248-2472 susanmkeeley@gmail.com

Nick Lepora, CEP, VP, Calgary Labour Council 403-278-5216 nlepora@hotmail.com

Winston Gereluk, 2012 Centennial Coordinator, 780-483-3012 winstong@fastmail.fm

100 years of struggle: One year of celebration A whole host of events are being planned across the province as the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) celebrates its centennial this year. The highlight will be an all-day event at Fort Edmonton Park on June 16. This is a non-delegated special convention and much more. It is open to all trade unionists and their families, community groups, social partners, activists and the general public. All unions who have ever been affiliated with the AFL will be invited. We'll keep you informed of all the news with regular updates. For the first update ... Maria Dunn Concert Tour Alberta singer Maria Dunn will make more than a dozen stops around the province with a concert tour focusing on the struggles and victories of working Albertans. The tour is aimed at making people excited about labour traditions and activism, more knowledgeable about the history of the labour movement – and at having a great night out!  For more information, and to find out when Maria Dunn will be appearing at a venue near you ... Listen to Maria Dunn's Centennial Song The AFL commissioned Maria Dunn to write a centennial song – and we think it's a smash hit! Here's the chorus:

1912 Planted the ground Brothers and sisters Will not be kept down Now here we are Holding the lineLook how far we've come together

To hear the whole song performed ...

Museums join celebration of 100 years of worker struggles Labour history displays are being created in museums, archives and libraries around Alberta this spring and summer to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the AFL. They are one component of a comprehensive five-year project to ensure that the centennial is celebrated with educational materials and projects focusing on Alberta's rich and dynamic labour history. For more information ... Urgent Action! Get with the program – NOW! Be a part of the AFL centennial celebrations by purchasing an advertisement in the 48-page colour centennial supplement. The program will have historical content celebrating a century of workers' struggles and solidarity. Ads can be greetings or messages marking the centennial or an ad about your union, business or corporation. Ads from affiliates and non-affiliates are welcome. The deadline is Wednesday, March 21. For further information ... Count Me In! We want you to join us at Fort Edmonton Park on June 16 for the party of the century! But we want more. We need your help to track down labour activists past and present to get them to come.  For more information ... Did you know ...

This month in Labour History:

March 1, 1906: Seven-month United Mine Workers strike in Lethbridge begins, resulting in anti-labour Industrial Disputes Investigation Act being passed by federal government in 1907. March 13, 1919: Delegates from most union locals in western Canada meet at the Western Labour Conference in Calgary and form One Big Union. March 15, 1951: Local 630 of Oil Workers International Union certified in Edmonton, the first local in the oil industry to last for some time. March 18, 1918: Government of Alberta passes province's first workers' compensation legislation. March 17, 1977: Members of CUPE begin lengthy strike at Parkland nursing home. March 19, 1919: Civil Service Association of Alberta (CSA), precursor to AUPE, formed. March 20, 1980: United Nurses of Alberta organize program of action to publicize nurses' low wages. Events

May 3 – June 16: Maria Dunn 2012 Concert Tour.

June 14-16: Alberta Labour History Institute (ALHI) is organizing a special two-day labour history conference June 14-16 in Edmonton.

June 16: The AFL is organizing a day-long celebration of labour on June 16, 2012 at the Fort Edmonton Park. This family-friendly event is open to all.

Buses and Accommodations Live outside Edmonton and want to attend the centennial celebrations? Book online with WE Travel for park admission, dinner, buses and hotel!The AFL looks forward to welcoming a large out-of-town contingent to the 100th anniversary celebrations on June 16. To make this possible, the AFL has partnered with WE Travel for online and phone bookings for park admission, dinner, transportation and accommodations and optional meal packages. (or any combination of the above).Go to WE Travel website at www.wetravel.net/ to book online or contact Heather at heather@wetravel.net or 604-253-1929 or toll free at 1-877-764-1997. Site will be live April 13. A valid email and credit card is required to book online. WE Travel can also handle in-town bookings for park admission and dinner. Park Admission: $5 per person Park admission has been sponsored by UNA, CUPE-AB, HSAA and the AFL. Before booking, check with your union to see if they will be purchasing a block of park admission tickets. Unions are asked to purchase their blocks of tickets directly through the AFL office. Dinner Ticket: $20 per person Tickets are optional, but recommended food options after 6 p.m. are limited. Buses: Six "On-to-Edmonton" Greyhound coaches will depart June 15th and return June 17. Roundtrip fares are $50+tax for the Calgary coach and $75+tax for all other coaches. These low fares have been sponsored by HSAA and UFCW 401.

Bus #1 - Ft. McMurray

Bus #2 – Peace River, Grande Prairie, Valleyview, High Prairie, Slave Lake

Bus #3 - Jasper, Hinton, Edson

Bus #4 - Calgary, Olds, Red Deer

Bus #5 - Medicine Hat, Brooks

Bus #6 - Lethbridge, Fort McLeod

Note: Buses #5 and #6 may have pickups in Calgary and Red Deer. Updates on bus routes, departure times and locations will be posted on the AFL and WE Travel websites. Deadline to book is May 10! If sufficient seats are booked by that date additional bookings can be made.

Accommodations Nightly rates at the Crowne Plaza Chateau Lacombe Hotel ($125+tax) and Grant MacEwan Residences (range from $60+tax to $168+tax). Book by June 1st. Alternate Accommodations: Billeting: Check with family, friends and your union to see if billeting is an option.

RV Sites: St. Albert Kinsmen RV Park is offering an additional 10% discount for anyone attending the AFL's centennial celebrations. This is in addition to their 10% discount for CAA and Good Sam Club members. Contact Ken Warren, Manager at 1-888-459-1724 to book. Check out other RV sites - Shaker's Acres and Rainbow Valley Campground/RV Park

Deadlines & Cancellation Policy: May 10th for buses. June 1st for dinner tickets and hotel rooms. June 11 is the cut-off date for online bookings. Full refunds prior to June 4. A $50 administration fee applies after June 12. Contact Maureen Werlin, AFL 2012 Centennial Events Coordinator at mwerlin@afl.org or 780-483-3021 or 1-800-661-3995 for info on the day's activities. Please visit the AFL website for more info on the centennial activities at http://www.afl.org/index.php/About-AFL/project-2012.html.

Centennial celebrations begin this month! 100 years can seem like an awfully long time – but there are only days until the first events begin to mark the 100th anniversary of the Alberta Federation of Labour. On April 28, the Edmonton District Labour Council will unveil the "Broken Families" monument. It's a tribute to workers injured or killed on the job in Alberta. There are concerts in early May in Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Calgary, Drumheller and Olds. More will follow in other regions in June and September. For more information ... Want to plan the rest of your year? Get a guide! The list of events and activities is too long to fit in this newsletter – in fact, it could fill a book! And you can get copies of that book. More than 10,000 copies of The Centennial Program Guide are now ready. The guide lists events around the province and provides a fascinating history of the AFL. To order copies for yourself or your union members, contact Winston Gereluk, Project 2012 Director, at winstong@fastmail.fm or 780-668-8119. Register now for the Celebration in the Park The highlight of the year of the centennial will be on June 16, at a Celebration in the Park at Fort Edmonton Park. You won't want to miss this – it'll be another 100 years before we do it again. So, register now and join the crowd of about 3,000 we are expecting to attend. And plan your day at the park with this Activities and a Glance guide ... Make your union a part of the big day Celebrate your union's history and its role in the labour movement by signing up to get a display table for the June 16 Celebration in the Park. For more information ... Worried you're forgetting something? There's so much going on to prepare for the June 16 event, you might be excused for thinking you'll forget something. That's why we've created a handy Union Checklist for Success! Get organized (pardon the pun) and check out the checklist here to make sure nothing falls through the cracks. Calling all hands! We need more than 100 volunteers for the AFL centennial "Celebration in the Park" on June 16. Whatever your talents, we can find a way to use them, from bartending to hanging banners, from first aid the kids' games. To find out more, and sign up to help ... Did you know

This month in Labour History:

April 1, 1902: United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners granted charter for Local 1055 in Calgary. April 1, 1917: Strike by 7,500 Crowsnest Pass miners belonging to the United Mine Workers of America. April 11, 1983: Bill 44 introduced; removes the legal right to strike for all hospital workers. April 12, 1919: The Edmonton Free Press, journal of the Edmonton Trades and Labour Council, begins publication. April 12, 2001: Amalgamated Transit Union Local 583 ends Calgary Transit strike. April 17, 1907: Amalgamated Sheet Metal Workers International Alliance Local 371 formed in Edmonton. April 18, 1980: United Nurses of Alberta begin legal strike at 79 hospitals. April 22, 1980: Nurses defy back-to-work order, winning a negotiated settlement six days later. April 22, 1951: Civic, school board and health-care employees form the Federation of Public Employees, forerunner of the National Union of Public Employees. April 23, 1956: Canadian Labour Congress is formed as a merger of two competing trade union federations. April 27, 1933: Fourteen leaders of a Calgary relief strike are arrested. April 30, 1900: First Alberta local of the International Association of Machinists (IAM 357) formed in Calgary.

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43 Days to go! AFL's 100th Anniversary Celebrations in the Park June 16 – Fort Edmonton Park Checklist for Success - How ready are you for June 16? Only 43 days left Take a look at the Union Checklist for Success. Sign up to get electronic 2012 Centennial messages by subscribing to AFL LabourBytes at www.afl.org. For more information ... BUSES - URGENT ACTION The deadline fast approaching - May 10! Only 6 days left to book your ride and secure a bus! Six buses are on hold to bring you, your family and friends to Edmonton for the party of a century! Each bus must have at least 20 riders by May 10th or the bus will be released. Buses depart June 15th and return June 17th. Calgary roundtrip fare $50 + tax; all other destinations $75+ tax. Please register online today and we will reach that magical number of 20! Go to WE Travel to book! This website allows you to book and pay online for: 1) $5 park admission, 2) $20 dinner in the park, 3) bus and 4) hotel. Confirmations will be issued via email. For full details on bus routes, online bookings and hotel ... Centennial Program Guide now available! Hot off the press! 10,000 copies of the centennial program guide are ready! 88 pages of events, history and activities carried out under Project 2012. Order your copies today by emailing afl@afl.org. To help distribute, circulate and promote the guide in your local, union or region, please call Winston or Maureen at the AFL at 780-483-3021. Organize leafleting, mail outs, put on websites. Go to AFL 100th Anniversary website for information ... Calling all Volunteers! Register now to be a volunteer for June 16th! Fill out the form. Give us your t-shirt size! We need more than 100 volunteers for June 16th and could use some volunteers for phone banks between now and then. Call or email Maureen at 780-483-3021 or mwerlin@afl.org if you are interested in helping out with phoning by making some calls to your friends and union members. We are asking unions to also consider organizing their own phone banks or electronic messages so the word gets out to all their members and retirees. Let us know what your plans are to spread the word.  To find out more, and sign up to help ... Hotel Bookings Online hotel bookings at the Crowne Plaza Chateau Lacombe can be made through WE Travel at www.wetravel.net ($125+ taxes per night). If you are NOT booking online, reserve your rooms directly with Sean Mainville, Sales Manager at the Crowne Plaza Chateau Lacombe at 780-420-8363 or smainville@chateaulacombe.com. Centennial Calendar of Events! Check out all centennial activities between now and Day Labour. Promote regional events, June 16th, Maria Dunn concerts and museum displays. Circulate calendar to members, post on your website, use in publications. Be a part of labour history, plan to attend these events. See calendar for full details by province and city.

LAST Call - Dinner in the Park – $20 each - Deadline Final numbers will be submitted to the caterer on Tuesday morning. Don't be disappointed. Over 600 sold already. Tickets WILL NOT be available in the park. Buy your tickets now by going to www.wetravel.net and book online. TICKETS must be paid for in advance. Park Admissions - $5 each The AFL purchased 3,000 admission tickets for the celebrations in Fort Edmonton Park on June 16, 2012. They are being offered to members and friends for $5 each. Go to www.wetravel.net. Buy early! Unsold tickets will be available for sale in the park. Tickets are sponsored by the United Nurses of Alberta, the Canadian Union of Public Employees-Alberta Division and Health Sciences Association of Alberta. In-town SHUTTLE BUSES We encourage you to take an Edmonton Transit SHUTTLE BUS. Parking is imited at the Park. Shuttle service is being provided by the City of Edmonton. Service will start at 10:00 AM to take people to Fort Edmonton Park from the Neil Crawford Centre parking lot (west side of 113th Street, just south of 72 Avenue and just before the School for the Deaf. This is also the south campus station on the LRT line. Service will be provided on half hour intervals until 1:00 PM, when it will be increased to 15 minute intervals, until demand slacks off. It will then go back to 1/2 hour intervals. They will run until 2:00 AM, unless we (or the inspector stationed there) will tell them to stop. GREYHOUND COACH shuttles will depart from MacDonald Drive (south side of the Journal building) across from the Crowne Plaza Chateau Lacombe starting at 9:30 AM and will run every half hour until 1:00 PM, hourly to 5:00 PM and resume half hour service until 1:30 AM. Anyone wishing to park downtown and ride a Greyhound shuttle to the Park can do so. OUT-OF-TOWN Busing A Greyhound coach will depart from Calgary on Friday, June 15th at Noon from the Calgary & District Labour Council Office, Inter-pacific Business Park, 321, 3132 – 26 Street, NE. This bus will stop in Red Deer at 1:30 PM (Petro Canada Gas Station, 3330 50 Ave (Gasoline Alley, Hwy 2 N). Drop off will be the Crowe Plaza Chateau Lacombe. Return travel is Sunday, June 17 at 10:00 AM from the Crowne Plaza Chateau Lacombe Hotel. Roundtrip fare is $50. You can still book seats through WE Travel at www.wetravel.net We will offer two Greyhound shuttle service from the downtown area. Buses will depart from McDonald Drive – south side of Journal building across from the Crowne Plaza Chateau Lacombe every half hour starting at 9:30 AM until 1:30 AM. Anyone wishing to park downtown and ride a Greyhound shuttle to the Park can do so. An Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) charter leaves Calgary on June 16th and returns home the same day. There are 25 seats left on this bus – no charge. It will leave Calgary, Spring Gardens garage, North Parking Lot – 928 – 32 Ave. NE at 8:00 AM. The bus will depart from Edmonton at 9:00 PM from wherever the bus will be parked. If interested in riding on this coach contact the ATU 583 office at 403-258-1258, Ext. 7 or email Shelley@atu583.com Coming from Fort McMurray? CEP Local 707 is making arrangements for busing and/or vans. Please contact their office directly at 780- (780) 743-3933 if you are interested in coming to the celebrations from Fort McMurray. Cancelled coaches – if you booked on a coach that has been cancelled, please ask WE Travel for a full refund. Book your own travel on Greyhound, submit a receipt to this office and you will be reimbursed the difference between what you are now paying and what you would have paid. Banner Parade Don't forget to bring your banners, flags and signs and participate in the parade. Marshalling is at 10:45 AM. Parade kicks off at 11:30 AM. Call for Volunteers If you want to volunteer,  see the revised sign-up sheet. Please email this form to afl@afl.org or fax it to 780-484-5928. If we don't know your t-shirt size, there is no guarantee you will get the right size. If you are interested in volunteering for the beer tent only, please contact Brian Henderson at 780-474-4747 or at office@edlc.ca. Display Tables Please confirm your request for a display table. Show off your union's history as part of our celebrations. Send to the attention of Maureen Werlin, mwerlin@afl.org UNDELEGATED CENTENNIAL CONVENTION Register now for the special centennial convention 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm in the Blatchford Hanger. Convention does not cost but we want to know if you plan to attend. We need name, union and contact information. Retirees Tea Is planned for 4:45 pm immediately following the centennial convention. With good weather it will be in the field outside the hanger. Please let your seniors know about the tea.

What a celebration! What a show of Solidarity! Good times for all who celebrated the AFL 100th anniversary in Fort Edmonton Park, June 16th - Good times were had by the 3,000 union members, their families, friends and supporters of labour who turned out to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the AFL in Fort Edmonton Park Saturday, June 16th. With something for everyone; from kids activities, seniors tea, face painting, Maria Dunn concert, a special centennial convention that focused on labour music by Notre Dame, powerpoints of our rich history and former presidents speaking out on the highlights of their terms in office, labour songs by Notre Dame, powerpoint presentations on the first 50 years, a busy beer tent, great meal and continuous entertainment from 4:30 pm to midnight including union songs, reggae, east coast folk, pop, jazz and blues and even some old time rock and roll. A special tribute to labour was held - quite the show of solidarity to see so many union leaders pledge their ongoing support to the AFL. A big thank you for all of you who made this happen - without your participation it would not have been a success. Click here for Ricardo Acuno's article in Vue Weekly Park Entrance tickets valid until September 30th Fort Edmonton Park printed special tickets for our event, tickets 0001-3000. The Park will honour all unused tickets in this series until the end of the 2012 season. If you or your union have unused tickets, DO NOT throw them away. You can enjoy the park anytime between now and September 30th with those tickets. We have also had a few tickets returned to us UNSOLD. If unions or individuals wish to take advantage of a great deal call or email the AFL to reserve your tickets 780-483-3021, email us at afl@afl.org Tickets are $5 each. Please help spread the word. We'd like to see all these tickets used. Great for a family outing. AFL Centennial Photos The AFL has just received the photos from the photographer. These images are available to our unions and members. If interested in getting copies of any photos, please contact the AFL office. Also, if you took pictures at the park please forward them to us -we would love to display them with the others. A huge thanks to all VOLUNTEERS! Kudos to the volunteers who were at it from 9:00 AM until Midnight for the celebrations in the Park marking the AFL's 100th anniversary. Thank you for rolling up your sleeves and giving so generously and unselfishly of your time and energy on June 16th. We couldn't have pulled off the celebrations without each and every one of you – all 140 volunteers! You could have been a participant, but you chose to be a volunteer and we are eternally grateful. Your work as an ambassador for the AFL was a testament to the strength of our movement. Thanks for helping the public and the staff. Thanks for making the event come off so successfully. The labour movement was built with volunteers just like you. Celebrating the 100th anniversary it is fitting to revisit our roots, the community-based nature of unions and the role each member plays. You were the FACE of labour on June 16th and you played a huge role in the success of the centennial celebrations. We hope you made it to the volunteer lounge and had a bite to eat on the Fed! We could not have pulled off the event without you.

If you have any questions about AFL 100th Anniversary Celebrations, contact:

Maureen Werlin, AFL Centennial Events Coordinator at 780-483-3021 or mwerlin@afl.org; or Winston Gereluk, 2012 Executive Director at 780-688-8119 or winstong@fastmail.fm

For the June 15th – AFL Homecoming Dinner, contact:

Maureen Werlin, AFL Centennial Events Coordinator at 780-483-3021 or mwerlin@afl.org

For Maria Dunn Concerts, Historical Displays, Regional Events, contact:

Winston Gereluk, 2012 Executive Director, at 780-688-8119 or winstong@fastmail.fm