LETTER: Risky business

The private sector businesses and employees have been taking the brunt of the economic downturn for more than four years now while the public sector has prospered with wage increases and job security. There isn’t a lot of sympathy from those hurting when the government decides to privatize some government services to cut costs because tax revenues have been reduced by the lost incomes. I do sympathize with anyone who has or will lose their job to the economic recession or as a result of the pandemic, however, it is also reasonable to expect most of those losing their jobs to privatization would be given the opportunity to work for the new private suppliers.  

Now to add fuel to the fire, this fall the Alberta Federation of Labour launched a ‘Boycott Campaign,’ which not only promoted animosity between public and private sector employees but the campaign also created bad blood between Alberta’s unions and non-union businesses and corporations. AFL president, Mr. Gil McGowan, suggested all unions were supporting his boycott (standuptoKenney.ca), which seems like risky business and could get pretty ugly. I am not so sure the labour and trade unions want to get into a war with private industry and large corporations because there is the risk of retaliation where contracts may only be offered to non-union shops.    

What is even more disturbing to me is the fact that someone in Canada even suggested or plotted to encourage such action at the time of year when we were getting ready to remember those Canadians who have sacrificed so much to ensure we at home retained our freedoms. We have all been given the opportunity to choose our government representatives and for someone like the AFL president to encourage his membership to disrespect our democracy by inciting financial harm ‘boycotting’ businesses in our communities for supporting and voting for someone they choose is absolutely disgraceful.  

In my opinion, Mr. McGowan should pull in his horns and represent his membership respectfully. Many Albertans have lost their jobs or closed their doors and anything Mr. McGowan can do to be part of the solution instead of growing the problem would be welcomed.  

I hope Rachel Notley and the NDP do not condone AFL’s actions!

Ken McMorris, St. Albert