The Alberta Federation of Labour has completed the first phase of a province-wide campaign aimed at protecting the Alberta Labour Code from a concerted attack by anti-union construction companies.

The campaign was launched in July after the government announced plans to amend the Code – at least partially in response to pressure from the notoriously anti-union Merit Contractors Association.

"The AFL has organized a province-wide lobbying of MLA’s," said AFL President Les Steel. "We had three objectives. First, we wanted to counteract Merit’s campaign to further restrict the few workers’ rights available in this province. Second, we wanted too provide MLAs with basic information about the importance of unions. And third, we wanted to put forward our position on how the labour code could be improved."

The Federation also provided basic background information to affiliates to help them prepare briefs to the legislative committee that is currently reviewing the Code.

In its brief to the committee, the Federation focused on six areas of particular concern to unions in Alberta. The AFL urged the government to:

1. Amend the Alberta Labour Relations Code to allow the Alberta Labour Relations Board to award automatic certification to a union that demonstrates more than 50% support from the workers in an appropriate bargaining unit.

2. Amend the Code to allow the Alberta Labour Relations Board to award a certificate to a union when employer interference in an organizing drive has been proven.

3. Amend the Code to provide for compulsory interest arbitration when negotiations toward a first collective agreement break down.

4. Amend the Code to incorporate Mandatory Dues Check-off as a minimum standard for collective agreements in the province.

5. Amend the Code and the Public Service Employee Relations Act to extend the right to strike to all workers in Alberta.

6. Amend the Code to ban the hiring of replacement workers during a strike or lockout.

"We have provided strong arguments in our brief for each of the changes we have suggested," said Steel. "Now we are waiting to see what recommendations the Committee will provide to Minister Dunford, and what course of action he will pursue. His actions will determine where we will go with this campaign in the future."

During its lobbying campaign, the AFL prepared lobby kits for labour activists to use with their meetings with local MLAs, and conducted several ‘how to lobby’ workshops around Alberta.