Alberta unions aim to use the G-8 summit to "embarrass" the Klein government on the world stage, says a spokesman for the Calgary District Labour Congress.
Gordon Christie says about 4,000 union members are expected to march in Calgary during the G-8 to condemn Klein's "anti-labour" attitude and its impact on the province's workers and poorest citizens.
"We want to put the message out that everything's not rosy in Alberta," Christie said. "Life may be fine for Ralph (Klein) and a few of his friends . . . but average Calgarians are suffering."
Calgary MLA Richard Magnus, speaking on behalf of the provincial government, scoffed at the unions' plans, saying the G-8 isn't the appropriate venue to air provincial labour problems.
He also said Alberta's union workers enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the world and have very little to complain about.
"I understand they're trying to get their pound of ink," Magnus said. "(But) I don't think you can compare our standard of living in Alberta to the Third World countries the G-8 is going to be talking about.
"They're entitled to their opinion. I just think it's wrong."
The Calgary District Labour Council is one of 132 umbrella groups across Canada representing a variety of unions, including the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Canadian Auto Workers, Canadian Energy and Paperworkers, United Food and Commercial Workers and United Nurses of Alberta.
Alberta has experienced an increase in labour unrest in recent months, with social workers, teachers, Calgary police and firefighters, and a host of other unionized workers either striking or negotiating new collective agreements.
Christie said the unions he represents hope to use the summit to make connections between Klein's "right wing" policies -- such as reducing funding for health care and deregulating public utilities -- and the harmful decisions made by G-8 nations.
"We want to tie Klein's policies to globalization," Christie said. "He's been (globalization's) poster boy and the cheerleader."
Not all unions in Alberta are joining the anti-G-8 bandwagon, however.
The Alberta Union of Public Employees has decided against playing an official role in G-8 protests.
AUPE president Dan MacLellan said his members are free to protest if they like, but the main focus for the coming months is cementing new contracts.
"We think protests are an important part of democracy, but right now, we're in bargaining for over 20,000 people and we're concentrating on that bargaining," MacLellan said.
The AUPE's decision disappointed Christie, who said: "(It) doesn't surprise me. They haven't been in the house of labour for some time."
Christie said union workers will take part in an anti-G-8 family march on June 23 in Calgary, as well as unofficial demonstrations during the summit.
FAIR USE NOTICE: This page contains copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. NoNonsense English offers this material non-commercially for research and educational purposes. I believe this constitutes a fair use of any such copyrighted material as provided for in 17 U.S.C § 107. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner, i.e. the media service or newspaper which first published the article online and which is indicated at the top of the article unless otherwise specified.