Ltr to Locals Apr 30, 2015

April 30, 2015
Address:
c/o CUPE Alberta Regional Office
300, 10235-124 ST NW
Edmonton, AB T5N 1P9
President
Marle Roberts
780-918-3061
[email protected]
Treasurer
Glynnis Lieb
[email protected]
Secretary
Scott Cush
[email protected]
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
The provincial election has reached its most critical stage, and I need your help.
As I’m sure you’ve seen, poll after poll after poll says that the NDP is positioned to win more seats
than the Conservatives. Maybe not a majority (we can only hope!!), but enough to lead a coalition
government.
At the same time, the PCs are ramping up their oil-funded TV ad campaign, warning Albertans of the
perceived threat of an NDP government.
Let’s face it: after 44 years, another PC majority would be a disaster for Alberta workers. Already,
Jim Prentice is threatening cut backs to public services, province-wide coordinated bargaining, new
essential services legislation, and more handouts to his corporate friends.
Worse, a PC-Wildrose coalition government would target basic human rights and union dues
collection (see the Wildrose Member Resolutions on their website – scary!). Privatization will be the
norm, and we’ll go another 4 years with empty promises of schools that are never built, hospitals
that are falling apart, and seniors left in the most decrepit living conditions.
The problem with positive polls is that too many NDP supporters will take for granted that their
local candidate will win. They won’t bother voting. Meanwhile, Wildrose supporters will start to
shift to the PCs to block an NDP majority. This is what happened in 2012, and we can`t let it happen
again!
What can we do to help the NDP win?
First, second, and third: VOTE! If possible, vote over the next 2 days in the advance polls. That will
free up NDP resources on Election Day – they won`t be phoning you or knocking on your door, so
they can focus on those who haven`t yet voted.
Next, please call your local NDP candidate`s office and offer to help out on Election Day. There are
many available tasks, such as:
Driving seniors to their polling station
Monitoring the voting inside the polls
Calling or knocking on the doors of voters
Assisting the campaign office with delivery of forms and meals to volunteers
Counting the votes at the end of the night.
With our help, the NDP has a chance of defeating the PC government. Please do all you can to help.
See you at the victory party!
In solidarity,
Marle Roberts
President, CUPE Alberta
MR/gb/cope#491