Anticipating attacks on workers pay and rights, the Alberta Federation of Labour and 26 unions representing more than 300,000 workers announced a “solidarity pact” on March 26. Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) president Gil McGowan said “the purpose of the solidarity pact is to let employers and governments in this province know that the unions will stand together and fight together — all for one, and one for all”.
Building labour unity
Warning that the government and private-sector employers may try to use the economic instability of Donald Trump’s tariffs and trade wars to deny workers rights and cut wages, the “Common Front” is a step forward for labour in the province because it includes unions that aren’t members of the AFL. While it would be good for all those unions to exist in the same federation, working together despite past disagreements between labour leaders is a practical step towards the unity necessary for labour to win. The AFL statement declares that:
“The undersigned unions commit to the principle of collective defense and agree that an attack by the Government of Alberta, the Government of Canada, a municipal government, a school board, or a private-sector employer on any partner union is an attack on all partner unions. All partner unions commit to taking decisive action to assist any attacked partner union or group of unions through concerted and coordinated actions. We are particularly concerned about the right to strike, which is central to workers’ bargaining power and the ability to maintain and improve the standard of living for all Albertans. Partner unions will view any effort by the Government of Alberta or the Government of Canada to strip or limit the right to strike from one union or a group of unions as an attack on all unions and workers.”
It is high time for a solidarity pact such as this. The Alberta government, regardless of who is in power, has been hostile to workers’ rights and this has had a negative effect on the standard of living in the province. The minimum wage has not increased since 2018, legal changes have made it harder to join unions and bargain collectively, while the Danielle Smith government has shown it is hostile to strikes, while making it easier for employers to avoid paying overtime. The question remains: how will this solidarity pact be translated into action?
That test may come sooner rather than later, as Safeway Workers look poised for a strike in the fall. The workers, represented by UFCW Local 401, have rejected Sobey’s latest offer over potential wage rollbacks of up to 6.5 percent for some workers. Gil McGowan indicated that labour will support the workers on the picket lines and a potential boycott.
Unity against the pro-corporate agenda
As Alberta Union of Public Employees (AUPE) President Guy Smith said “we may work for different bosses and live different lives, but we all face the same struggles.It does not matter whether you work in a government office, hospital, school, grocery store or construction site – Albertans are ready to fight for a better life, and that includes better wages and workplaces.”
The Alberta Common Front solidarity pact is a welcome and much needed step forward for the labour movement in the province and something that should be replicated elsewhere. A Common Front approach in Québec has made the province the leader in labour power and should obviously be replicated everywhere.
The move to break down factional divisions between unions by supporting workers in bargaining, on picket lines, and coordinating resources are vital steps to counter the labour’s weakness and change the political terrain in Alberta and beyond. The business class is using the tariff war to advance an aggressive pro-business agenda. If workers are going to fight for an alternative unions will need to build solidarity though action.
Did you like this article? Help us produce more like it by donating $1, $2, or $5. Donate
