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province-wide general strikes not ruled out

Alberta union leaders launch protest website against UCP government

Oct 28, 2020 | 11:35 AM

EDMONTON — Labour-union leaders are urging Albertans to sign up to protest Premier Jason Kenney’s government through rallies and demonstrations and, if necessary, province-wide general strikes.

Gil McGowan, head of the Alberta Federation of Labour, says Kenney’s United Conservative government is attacking the province’s parks, workers, and the public health system.

McGowan appeared at a news conference at an Edmonton hotel this morning and was flanked by other union leaders as they launched a website called standuptokenney.ca

The site asks Albertans to promise to take part in protests.

Hundreds of health support staff walked out on Monday over the government’s plans to cut jobs and privatize some services at hospitals.

The workers returned to their jobs on Tuesday after the Alberta Labour Relations Board deemed their action illegal, but some surgeries had to be cancelled and rescheduled.

McGowan says the one-day protest showed that mass action can be effective.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 28, 2020.

The Canadian Press