For the first time in more than 100 years Albertans are talking about a general strike, inflamed by the provincial government’s use of the notwithstanding clause to force striking teachers back to work.

The Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) includes 24 unions, representing 175,000 workers. Its president, Gil McGowan, also leads a larger collective called Common Front, which has agreed to treat an attack on some workers’ rights as an attack on all workers’ rights.

McGowan has said unions will encourage workers — who are incensed by the provincial government’s suspension of bargaining rights — to volunteer for recall campaigns and prepare for a possible general strike.

But what are the legalities around a general strike? What moves could the Alberta government take to stop it? And if it does go ahead, when should it happen?

  • HellsBelle@sh.itjust.worksOPEnglish
    11·
    16 hours ago

    My tinfoil hat moment — What if Alberta goes through with this and it works? And what if the rest of Canada decides that we can do the same with the feds and Canada Post??

    Then the US sees what can happen and has a nation-wide general strike and brings Trump et al to their knees???

    • NeighboursNeverNeighbors@lemmy.caEnglish
      2·
      4 hours ago

      IMO I would expect the US government to meddle with the strike specifically because of this. Normally it’d be subtle, but who knows with that administration.

      Their situation doesn’t change a thing though. A general strike is still warranted here. They’ve been ignoring our pleas for decades now - the things medical staff and teachers have to go through is insane and their requests are entirely reasonable. They need smaller class sizes / amounts of patients to oversee. Our children need smaller class sizes. Everyone needs better access to medical care.

      The level of wealth disparity is sickening, and the people are not even asking for all that much. The government / rich can’t be allowed to keep getting away with this.