News – Local 222

AFL moves Unity Rally at the Legislature to Sunday, October 18, to avoid clashes with separatists

“Day of Protest” rallies will proceed in other communities across the province on Saturday, October 17 Alberta’s largest worker organization, the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL), has decided to move its planned “Alberta Unity and Solidarity Rally” at the Legislature to 1 p.m., Sunday, October 18, to avoid clashes with separatists, who have now announced that they are bussing people into… Source

September 6, 2026

PRESS RELEASE: New report shows separation would be disastrous for Alberta workers

CALGARY — A new report released today by the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) warns that separation would impose enormous economic and social costs on Alberta workers — threatening jobs, wages, pensions, public services, labour rights, and Alberta’s future prosperity. The report, False Promises, Big Dangers: How Separation Would Hurt Alberta Workers, was prepared by economist Jim Stanford of… Source

August 31, 2026

Canada’s Building Trades Unions Welcomes New Temporary Relief Measures from U.S. Tariffs

Canada’s Building Trades Unions welcomes today’s announcement from Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance, accompanied by the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Economic Development for Quebec Regions, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario and the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, temporarily extending the EI measures related to unfair U.S. tariffs on various manufacturing industries including steel, aluminum,

August 25, 2026

PRESS RELEASE: Alberta labour leader urges Carney to target U.S. midterms with export tax on oil

EDMONTON – The president of Alberta’s largest worker organization has written a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney urging him to show the leadership Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has been unwilling to demonstrate and impose an export tax on Canadian oil destined for American refineries. “This is not about changing Trump’s mind. That’s a fool’s errand,” wrote Alberta Federation of Labour… Source

August 25, 2026

Canada’s Building Trades Unions Reacts to Continuation of Tariffs and Calls for Extended Temporary Relief Measures for workers

Canada’s Building Trades Unions is calling on the federal government to extend the current temporary relief measures related to unfair U.S. tariffs on various manufacturing industries including steel, aluminum, and automotive products through spring 2027, or until a fair agreement is reached between Canada and the United States. The impact of this trade war isn’t being felt in the boardrooms; it’s being felt at kitchen tables. Tariffs are disrupting supply chains, putting good-paying middle class jobs at risk, and driving uncertainty for tradespeople and their families. Workers are bearing the consequences of decisions

August 24, 2026

CBTU Executive Director Addresses UA’s 41st Convention Calling for North American Collaboration

Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) Executive Director, Sean Strickland, addressed nearly 4,000 members of the United Association (UA) at its convention in San Diego, including 1,000 Canadian delegates. The convention reflected the strength of the UA’s North American partnership, guided internationally by General President, Mark McManus and supported in Canada by Director of Canadian Affairs, Terry Snooks. With nearly 60,000 UA members across Canada, that partnership continues to advance opportunities for skilled tradespeople on both sides of the border. Shortly

August 21, 2026

Canada’s Building Trades Unions Statement on Churchill Falls and Labrador Energy Investments

Canada’s Building Trades Unions welcomes yesterday’s announcement of a new agreement on Churchill Falls and broader electricity and energy investments across Labrador. This is an important step towards unlocking the province’s enormous energy potential while creating good-paying unionized jobs and generating lasting economic benefits for workers, Indigenous Peoples, and communities across the province. The federal commitment of $10 billion for the modernization and expansion of Churchill Falls, the potential development of Gull Island, new transmission infrastructure, and the 2,000 MW

August 18, 2026

Statement: Alberta Common Front stands with WestJet flight attendants

WestJet flight attendants are taking a stand against unpaid work — and Alberta’s labour movement is ready to stand with them. EDMONTON — The Alberta Common Front is standing in full solidarity with the 4,000 WestJet flight attendants represented by CUPE Local 8125 as they fight for fair pay, a fair collective agreement and their fundamental right to strike. In a joint letter signed by labour… Source

July 31, 2026

PRESS RELEASE: Smith had a card to play against Trump’s tariffs. She folded before the hand even started.

CHARLOTTETOWN — Donald Trump has hit Canada with another round of tariffs this week – 50 per cent duties on a wide swath of Canadian goods, from alcohol to dairy to hockey equipment. But one thing is conspicuously absent from the list: energy. That’s not an accident, says Alberta Federation of Labour President Gil McGowan – it’s proof that Alberta has leverage Premier Danielle Smith refuses to… Source

July 22, 2026

PRESS RELEASE: Meta gets two years of free-riding on Alberta’s grid – while Albertans foot the bill for a broken power market, two independent reports confirm

EDMONTON — Just weeks after a new study from the C.D. Howe Institute confirmed what the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) has been saying for years – that Alberta’s deregulated power market gives working people the highest electricity prices in the country – the Smith government has signed off on a deal that will make the problem worse. Without any public consultation, the government has agreed… Source

July 16, 2026