CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Alberta Teamsters stands firmly with educators in defending their right to free and fair collective bargaining. Union leaders today condemned Premier Danielle Smith's decision to use the default clause to force teachers back to work.
“Danielle Smith has proven once again that she is a pathetic leader. She loves to talk about freedom, but strips workers of their Charter rights the moment they stand up to her. Our teachers have my complete respect and admiration for demanding better for their students. They and all Albertans deserve better than authoritarian, thin-skinned politicians,” she said. Bernie Haggartysecretary-treasurer Teamsters Union Local 362.
“The ability to go on strike and demand better working conditions is one of the hallmarks of a free and developed society. But Danielle Smith appears determined to take Alberta back to a time when strikes were illegal and unions were silenced. If a prime minister can tear away workers' rights today, what's to stop them from doing it again tomorrow? When politicians like her learn they can ignore rights at will, no one's freedom is safe,” she warned. Jim Harriettsecretary-treasurer Teamsters Union Local 987.
“Attacks on workers exercising their right to strike are becoming all too common. When the federal government ordered CPKC and CN railroad workers back to work last year, the Teamsters Canada railroad conference immediately filed a lawsuit. But Danielle Smith took the situation to a new low by openly admitting that what she was doing was unconstitutional, using the notwithstanding clause,” she said. Paul BoucherPresident, Canadian Railway Drivers' Conference.
Alberta Teamsters represents more than 15,000 workers in a variety of industries including trucking, construction, warehousing, package delivery, healthcare and more.
Teamsters Canada represents 135,000 workers across the country.
Media inquiries:
Christopher Monette
Director of Communications, Teamsters Canada
Mobile: 514-226-6002
[email protected]
