A big thank you to Dave Finn for organizing the rooms and credentials for the delegates. He has been doing this for a few years now and we thank him every year and we hope it is getting easier for him. Also thanks are due to Ed Pirogowicz for getting our breakfast every morning. Thanks also goes out to Kim Bradford, who with all the delegate's input, managed to pull this report together for us. And a big thanks to both Ian Tarr and Doug Gamble for their wisdom and guidance to us Convention neophytes. In addition to providing perspective and some historical background they made it very clear that we were to vote as directed by our chapters or by our conscience. Having staff rep Brian Randall attend some of the caucuses and the informal sessions was a bonus as we were able to get some sense of how these things worked in the real world.

Although nothing was said at the time, some delegates have suggested that we follow through with last year's caucus resolution to ban smoking in the caucus room and provide an outdoor venue, like a balcony, for our valued brothers and sisters who still succumb to the fragrant seductions of the weed.

Convention opened with a children's choir from St Mary's Elementary School singing O' Canada and Solidarity Forever. This was a pleasant and unexpected surprise that moved all the convention delegates. It brought home the realisation that the gains we make today in the labour movement will benefit these same children in the future.

President Dan M^cLellan says he recognises that the leadership needs to continue to strengthen the connection of workers to the union. The President's Address emphasised the policy of AUPE Executive to be responsive to the membership by visiting worksites and walking on the picket lines. He produced a list of meetings and activities he had attended throughout the year demonstrating his commitment to get out to the members. He said he understands that there is still some residual 'bad feeling' from the AUPE office workers towards the Executive and it will take some more time to rebuild the level of trust. He said this difficult negotiation reaffirmed his faith in the bargaining process because the United Steel Workers and AUPE did sign a collective agreement.

Regarding the strike action taken against the Regional Health Council, the $400,000 fine levied by the courts on behalf of the Klein government has been paid while a suspension of dues collection totalling about $1.7 million is still before the Labour Board.

Mr. M^cLellan also spoke about the threat of privatization of government services. He says the threat is ubiquitous and pernicious. He warns that all members should be on the lookout for any attempts or references to privatize and that any member should notify the Union if they are aware of anything.

James Clancy from the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) also gave a fine speech in which he linked our day to day struggles to the growing global concentration of economic and social power into the hands of a few 'transnational' corporations and their officers. He makes the point that the unconscionable treatment of workers in third world countries is at the hand of many of the same employers in our province and could be also our experience were it not for the strength of collective and organized labour. He says that AUPE is recognized as a 'union that is moving with the times'.

Regardless of whether you are a long-timer at these conventions or a rank newcomer, Convention 2000 can only be described as a 'good' convention. Lots of resolutions, lots of debate - sometimes rancorous and heated but always concluded by the will of the delegates, much passion about politics, much high emotion around people giving their very best efforts, and lots of lively chatter and socialising.

One of the most contentious issues was the historic resolution to change the way AUPE affiliates with the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL). In the past AUPE has affiliated, and pays an affiliation fee of $365,000, based on the union as a single entity. Many people feel, quite strongly, that the AFL has not been supportive of, and even worked against the wishes of the AUPE membership. Apparently this has been the situation for some time now. The resolution proposed that the AUPE affiliate by Local; each Local would decide whether AUPE would or would not pay affiliation fees on behalf of its members. It is hoped that this will force the AFL to meet with and work for our membership in a more responsive fashion. Andrea Waywanko and Earl Thompson, VP's to the AFL on behalf of AUPE, ably defended AFL's position while admitting that there are some structural problems within the AFL and that AUPE members 'are not getting their moneys worth'. After many debates and a first round defeat this resolution was resubmitted to the floor and passed by a bare ²/₃ plus 1 majority. This is a constitutional amendment and every member is advised to talk to their Convention Delegate about the full impact of this resolution.

Another very close vote was for a new Vice President. Exactly a 50% plus 1 majority elected the new Vice President on the first ballot. Wesley Morgan, at 22 years of age, is the youngest ever Executive member. Wesley is a very strong union activist and some might say idealistic but he really wants to serve. The floor heard this and gave him the nod, at least until the next Convention in the fall of 2001.

A resolution to affiliate with the NDP was defeated. The general consensus was that this would cause needless fractures in a group that relies on its collective strength. AUPE will continue to support members who run for public office, regardless of political affiliation, on a candidate by candidate basis.

There was much discussion about a resolution to use the shortened name of 'The Alberta Union' instead of 'The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees' in our correspondence. This resolution was defeated. The resolution to change the name of 'Area Council' to Social Council' was also defeated.

A couple of resolutions that strengthen the integrity of our union were passed with a resounding majority. One is a request to the Legislative Committee to look into ways of preventing a member who has crossed a picket line from becoming an elected officer of the Union. The other is a demand that AUPE negotiate 'whistle blower' protection for its members.

On the lighter side a resolution was passed in which the AUPE would demand that Stockwell Day pay his own damn legal bills. And our very own Mike from Canmore, (M.Dempsey) and his dog, Ralph, gave a very entertaining 'Top 10 Questions He Has About The Convention' skit that had the audience roaring with laughter.

Raj Pannu, an New Democrat MLA from Edmonton, stopped by and gave a short speech about the Klein government's increasing animosity towards labour seen in their lack of support for Bill 216, Labour Statutes Amendment Act. He says that Alberta's labour law is not only anti-union but against labour. Nancy MacBeth, Leader of the Alberta Liberal party, also stopped by for a quick smile and wave.

1. Ian Tarr - observer
2. Dave Finn- observer
3. Doug Gamble
4. Mike Dempsey
5. Kevin Winghirt
6. John Graham
7. Tracey Cove
8. Kim Bradford
9. Ed Pirogowicz
10. Mike Penner
11. Rick Bambrick
12. Martin Paetz
13. Gary Mandrusiak