AUPE opposed to UCP bills impacting transgender youth
By Toyin Obatusin - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on November 7, 2024.
The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees are calling on the UCP government to put an immediate stop to its attack on trans rights in Alberta.
AUPE Vice President Bobby-Joe Borodey said Wednesday she doesn’t trust the UCP Government due to what the union believes is a lack of care for the people new bills impacting trans-gender youth directly affect.
When asked where Borodey stood on the announcement of Bills 26, 27, 29, her first response was that “it is disgusting, for one, and is incredibly disheartening to see a government that is essentially attacking a very vulnerable group of individuals within this province. The AUPE, being a large group of individuals who work within multiple divisions of the public sector, are aware that these laws and legislations will impact the work that they are doing for these folks.”
Borodey specifically spoke in regards to AUPE members who work in healthcare, education, and various government organizations, whose roles are specific to providing support to every member within this Province.
There is an awareness that they will encounter individuals who are transitioning, or parents of youth, who are in the same situation, and are looking for support, Borodey said, noting it’s frequently stated that there will be a barrier between those who provide the services for the public when it comes to privacy and information needing to be disclosed regardless of choice.
There has to be consent from both parents for youth under the age of 18 to be able to be recognized using their preferred pronouns than what they were assigned with at birth. The AUPE sympathizes with individuals who may not have the best family support system, to easily accept these new laws and regulations. Schools, which used to be safe spaces for students outside of the home, now have that safety net and measure of feeling secure in that space being taken away, in the opinion of AUPE members.
They’re saying that it has the potential to create an awkward situation for union members.
When asked what repercussions may be for service providers who do not adhere to the proposed and passed bills, the union feels this is an unknown aspect of the legislation.
The UCP, says Borodey, has a pattern of behaviour of not disclosing full information to those affected by its bills. Borodey said this is a pattern of behaviour with this government, wherein they make big grandiose announcements and then provide zero details on how these new plans, or rules, will take effect, or what they will look like.
She believes that there is negative attention being drawn to these vulnerable individuals, which can lead to awkward situations, potentially dangerous situations for children.
The AUPE is worried about the safety of those affected by Bill 26, 27 and 29. The government is catering to their space of supporters and is believed to be telling those supporters what they want to hear, and neglect to take into account the people that they are hurting, says the AUPE.
Right now the AUPE is engaged in intense bargaining with the government and believe that these sweeping new bills are a tactic to divert individuals away from fighting for their rights within their jobs, being able to make gains at the bargaining table.
The plan, says Borodey, is to fight back against the government whether it’s specifically for wage gains, increased benefits or ensuring that citizens do not allow this government to trample on the rights of vulnerable people. The AUPE is going to continue to do what they are currently doing, and protest the government and every decision that they make, pushing back where it feels there is a need.
“If we stop fighting then they win. And it sends a message that can continue on this path on dismantling Alberta, targeting vulnerable individuals, whether it’s transgender youth, those who work in underpaid jobs, it’s all the same, it’s targeting the individuals that the government feels can’t fight back, and we’re gonna show that that we can and we will,” says Borodey.
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