Alberta Federation of Labour Executive Council passes motion calling on provincial government to act.

EDMONTON – The Alberta Federation of Labour is calling on the Chief Medical Officer of Health and the provincial government to implement mandatory face masks in enclosed workplaces and public spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic.

At a recent meeting of the AFL’s Executive Council, a motion was passed unanimously in support of the implementation of such a policy as a crucial way to protect workers and the public. It is a policy already implemented by other jurisdictions such as Quebec, Toronto and Montreal.

“The evidence is now clear. Wearing a face mask in workplaces and enclosed public spaces helps protect the people around you, including other workers. It’s a public health issues and a workplace health and safety issue, the provincial government should act now,” said AFL president Gil McGowan.

The full text of the motion passed by the union leaders on the AFL Executive Council:

Whereas face masks may help prevent people who have COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others, and
Whereas wearing a face mask will help protect people around you, including workers who frequently come into close contact with other people and those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and
Whereas face masks are most likely to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when they are widely used by people in public settings when used along with other preventive measures, including physical distancing, frequent hand-washing, and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, and
Whereas other jurisdictions have implemented mandatory face mask wearing in enclosed workplaces and public spaces,
Be it resolved that the Alberta Federation of Labour encourage the Government of Alberta and the Chief Medical Officer of Health to implement the mandatory wearing of face masks in enclosed workplaces and public spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Ramona Franson
Director of Communications, AFL
rfranson@afl.org