Who We Are

Today, the CDLC is working with our community partners to maintain and strengthen health care, the public education system, and to protect our social programs.

These things effect every person, union or non-union both working and unemployed. Labour activists volunteer their time in many aspects to build stronger and more caring communities. We do this by fighting for equal access to quality social programs, public services, decent jobs and improved standard of living for everyone.

Together, we are working to close the growing gap between the rich and poor in our society.

Your Labour Council

Chartered in May, 1905, the CDLC is the voice of labour in Calgary. We support 60 affiliated union locals representing 44,000 members. Their diversity of knowledge and experience has joined to strongly uphold the principles of unionism and create solidarity in the struggle to improve the working lives of all people.

More than strikes, contracts and negotiations, the CDLC also plays a key role in our community. We work closely in coalition with numerous non-governmental, social justice, volunteer and faith organizations in Calgary. Our proactive committees organize around issues of interest to all workers, union and non-union alike. Everyone is welcome to attend our meetings and events.

Today’s Labour Councils

Today, we are working with our community partners to maintain and strengthen health care, the public education system and to protect our social programs. These things effect every person, union or non-union both working and unemployed.

Labour activists volunteer their time in many aspects to build stronger and more caring communities. We do this by fighting for equal access to quality social programs and public services and decent jobs and standard of living for everyone. Together, we are working to close the growing gap between the rich and poor in our society.

What we do:

The Calgary and District Labour Council (CDLC) is the local organization of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) at the city level. The CLC represents 1.5 million unionized workers across Canada. Labour Councils are comprised of the local of national unions that are affiliated to the Canadian Labour Congress.

Labour councils have various responsibilities but mainly are the voice and organization of labour movement at the community level. The Calgary and District Labour Council (CDLC) is governed by an elected President and Executive Council representing a cross section of local unions. Local unions are allocated delegates based on the number of members in their union. These delegates meet monthly to discuss issues of concern to their members.

Local unions may introduce resolutions that if adopted become the policies of the labour council. Resolutions adopted by local labour councils may be forwarded to the Canadian Labour Congress to be discussed and debated at the national level and if adopted become the national policies of the CLC.

Working actively to support people’s needs is a big part of the labour council’s work. We continue to call for the creation of laws that would benefit all members of society, laws that would become the foundation of our social programs in Canada today.

How we help our community:

  • Working together
  • Being involved in the community
  • Educating our members and workers
  • Organizing workers
  • Lobbying governments
  • Campaigning for Justice
  • Taking Political Action
  • Supporting Striking Workers

Executive Council

Alex Shevalier – UFCW 401 President
Chris Redeker – CUPE 38 1st Vice-President
Open 2nd Vice-President
Wycliffe Oduor – CUPW Treasurer
Jason Cormier – CUPE 38 Secretary
Rob Lerouge CUPE 38 Sgt.-at-Arms
Clark Ayres – CUPE 38 Member at Large
Lucille Fedkiw – COPE 397 Member at Large
Peter Hawrlyshen – IATSE 212 Member at Large

Trustees

Open
Paul Vargis – CUPE 37
Elsa Gee – CUPE 1169

Get Involved

Committees:

Being involved in a committee can be a very rewarding experience.

The various Committees are:

  • Education
  • Finance
  • Labour Day BBQ
  • Political Action
  • S’ean Gillen Memorial Scholarship
  • United Way Partnership

Delegates:

Delegates are the voice and vote of the Labour Council at the regular monthly meetings of the council. Each affiliated Union Local has a representative (delegate) according to the average monthly number of members on which per capita is paid. Delegates represent their local to both provide and share information with the council members and their local Committees.

CDLC Affiliates

A.T.U. #583 (Amalgamated Transit Union)
B.C.T.G.M.U. #252 (Bakery Confectionary Tobacco Grain Millers) Union
C.M.A. #547 (Calgary Musicians Association)
C.O.P.E. #397 (Canadian Office Professional Employees)
C.O.P.E. #378 (Canadian Office Professional Employees)
C.U.P.E. #37 (Canadian Union of Public Employees)
C.U.P.E. #38 (Canadian Union of Public Employees)
C.U.P.E. #40 (Canadian Union of Public Employees)
C.U.P.E. #520 (Canadian Union of Public Employees)
C.U.P.E. #709 (Canadian Union of Public Employees)
C.U.P.E. #1169 (Canadian Union of Public Employees)
C.U.P.E. #3911 (Canadian Union of Public Employees)
C.U.P.E. #4655 (Canadian Union of Public Employees)
C.U.P.E. #4731 (Canadian Union of Public Employees)
C.U.P.W. #710 (Canadian Union of Postal Workers)
I.B.B. #D345 (International Brotherhood of Boilermakers)
I.A.F.F. #255 (International Association of Fire Fighters)
H.S.A.A. (Health Sciences Association of Alberta)
I.A.T.S.E. #212 (International Association of Theatrical and Stage Employees)
I.A.M.A.W. #99 (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers)
I.A.M.A.W. #1722 (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers)
I.A.M.A.W. #2583 (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers)
I.B.E.W. #254 (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers)
IRONWORKERS #805 (International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers)
M.C.W.A. #30400 (Media Communication Workers of America)
USW 1-207 (United Steel Workers)
USW – TWU 1944 Unit 203 (United Steel Workers, Telecommunication Workers Union)
USW – TWU 1944 Unit 204 (United Steel Workers, Telecommunication Workers Union)
U.F.C.W. #401 (United Food and Commercial Workers)
U.F.C.W. #1518 (United Food and Commercial Workers)
U.N.A. (United Nurses of Alberta)
U.U.W.A. (United Utility Workers Association)