[Calgary] Trade unionists from Alberta, Saskatchewan and B.C. met in Calgary on November 12^th to discuss labour involvement in the popular protests against the G8 summit planned for June 26 – 28, 2002 in Kananaskis, Alberta. The labour representatives then met with social activists on November 13^th to discuss cooperation between the various groups planning to demonstrate opposition to the upcoming summit.

"I believe that we have taken several positive steps in these meetings," said Alberta Federation of Labour President Les Steel. "We have agreed that labour will actively participate in the opposition to the G8 agenda. And we have agreed to cooperate with all of the other various groups and organizations involved as much as possible."

The two-day meeting was co-hosted by the Alberta Federation of Labour and the Communications Energy & Paperworkers Union (CEP) western region. CEP Western Administrative Vice-President Don MacNeil was pleased with the meetings.

"Our union wanted to ensure that the apparent division between labour and popular protesters in that we saw in Quebec City is not be repeated here," said MacNeil. "At this meeting, labour committed to conduct a strong educational effort among our membership to ensure that trade unionists will know well in advance about all planned activities and will be able to make knowledgeable choices about their participation. And, we agreed to encourage labour to participate as fully as possible."

In Alberta, the AFL will prepare background material on the G8 for distribution amongst the membership. "We will be making education about the G8 a priority," said Les Steel. "Just as importantly, labour will be running workshops about the importance of preserving and exercising our democratic right to protest in the current climate of increasingly heavy state interference with that right."

Among the labour participants were representatives from the Canadian Labour Congress, the Alberta Teachers Association, UFCW, CAW, CUPE, CUPW, PSAC, the Health Sciences Association, EDLC and the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour.

In the meeting with social partners, there was an open exchange of information about what various organizations are planning. The Calgary organizing group is planning to focus its efforts on a ‘counter summit’ in the days before the G8 meeting. Various speakers, activities and entertainment will engage the thousands of Canadians expected to be converging upon Calgary to protest the G8. Groups have independently planned events – with organizations supporting each other on an ad hoc basis.

Labour is considering organizing several events around the G8 – involving everything from street theatre to teach-ins.

"We are also committed to helping our social partners with their events," said Steel. "We will try to mobilize labour support for billeting, office rental and some personnel support for the grassroots organizers – as well as active participation by our members in those events."

Among the social organizations represented were the Council of Canadians, the BEAR Society, Results Canada, CUSO, the International Society for Peace & Human Rights and the Calgary G8 Organizing Committee.