Premier Jason Kenney has told Alberta union leaders to tone down their rhetoric after a United Conservative Party convention saw journalists assaulted..There have also been union rumblings of a general strike across Alberta after it was revealed the government has plans to lay off 6,400 workers..About 600 protesters gathered Saturday outside the convention at the Westin Calgary Airport. At one point two members of Rebel media were verbally and physically assaulted. Police are investigating..“I would ask Ms. Notley and the government union leaders to be careful about their language. Inciting people to violence undermines their own cause. It doesn’t respect the kid of civility that Albertans respect,” Kenney told reporters at a press conference as the three-day convention wrapped up.. Kenney urges calm from Alberta labour unionsA protester shoves Rebel reporter Sheila Gunn-Reid outside a UCP conference on Saturday Nov. 30. .“In a period of fiscal restraint, any government is going to face protests and opposition from government unions. That is absolutely their democratic right.. Kenney urges calm from Alberta labour unionsThe protester who assaulted Rebel staffer Sheila Gunn-Reid outside the UCP convention on Nov. 30, 2019 .“But it should never cross the line into abuse, aggression – particularly against women which I understand happened yesterday. Some union or NDP activist physically assaulted a woman who is from a media outlet… that is totally unacceptable and I hope that we hear from the organizers of that protest that they will completely disavow that…(and make) an effort to moderate their rhetoric, not to whip people up into a frenzy..“Lets try and seek a path of cooperation and collaboration – nor confrontation.”.Kenney said the NDP is trying to make government cuts seem like the “arrival of the Apocalypse..“This is ridiculous. By modern Canadian fiscal standards this is one of the most modest periods of fiscal restraint. I just wish everybody would be a little more objective in their language,” he said..Kenney blasted some union leaders for “being out of touch” seeking whopping eight per cent wage increases..He said many government workers receive higher pay and better benefits than their counterparts in the private sector..“I would just plead with them to look at the general economic and fiscal situation in of this province. I do not think something like a general strike demanding eight percent increase in wages while we are in the fifth year of economic decline will be well received by Albertans.”.Alberta Union of Provincial Employees boss Guy Smith will hold a press conference in Edmonton Monday to address the government’s plan.Meanwhile, Kenney urged federal Tories to keep supporting current leader Andrew Scheer, who spoke to the convention Friday night..Since the October election, calls have grown for Scheer to step down before a scheduled party leadership vote in April..Kenney pointed out 70 per cent of Albertans voted for Scheer and he picked up seats from the last election..“There’s no point into getting into a partisan civil war,” said Kenney.“There’s no secret there will be a review vote in spring and I’m sure there will be a lot of noise between now and then. Stability makes a lot more sense than internal conflict.”.dnaylor@wersternstandardonline.com.Twitter: @Nobby7694
Premier Jason Kenney has told Alberta union leaders to tone down their rhetoric after a United Conservative Party convention saw journalists assaulted..There have also been union rumblings of a general strike across Alberta after it was revealed the government has plans to lay off 6,400 workers..About 600 protesters gathered Saturday outside the convention at the Westin Calgary Airport. At one point two members of Rebel media were verbally and physically assaulted. Police are investigating..“I would ask Ms. Notley and the government union leaders to be careful about their language. Inciting people to violence undermines their own cause. It doesn’t respect the kid of civility that Albertans respect,” Kenney told reporters at a press conference as the three-day convention wrapped up.. Kenney urges calm from Alberta labour unionsA protester shoves Rebel reporter Sheila Gunn-Reid outside a UCP conference on Saturday Nov. 30. .“In a period of fiscal restraint, any government is going to face protests and opposition from government unions. That is absolutely their democratic right.. Kenney urges calm from Alberta labour unionsThe protester who assaulted Rebel staffer Sheila Gunn-Reid outside the UCP convention on Nov. 30, 2019 .“But it should never cross the line into abuse, aggression – particularly against women which I understand happened yesterday. Some union or NDP activist physically assaulted a woman who is from a media outlet… that is totally unacceptable and I hope that we hear from the organizers of that protest that they will completely disavow that…(and make) an effort to moderate their rhetoric, not to whip people up into a frenzy..“Lets try and seek a path of cooperation and collaboration – nor confrontation.”.Kenney said the NDP is trying to make government cuts seem like the “arrival of the Apocalypse..“This is ridiculous. By modern Canadian fiscal standards this is one of the most modest periods of fiscal restraint. I just wish everybody would be a little more objective in their language,” he said..Kenney blasted some union leaders for “being out of touch” seeking whopping eight per cent wage increases..He said many government workers receive higher pay and better benefits than their counterparts in the private sector..“I would just plead with them to look at the general economic and fiscal situation in of this province. I do not think something like a general strike demanding eight percent increase in wages while we are in the fifth year of economic decline will be well received by Albertans.”.Alberta Union of Provincial Employees boss Guy Smith will hold a press conference in Edmonton Monday to address the government’s plan.Meanwhile, Kenney urged federal Tories to keep supporting current leader Andrew Scheer, who spoke to the convention Friday night..Since the October election, calls have grown for Scheer to step down before a scheduled party leadership vote in April..Kenney pointed out 70 per cent of Albertans voted for Scheer and he picked up seats from the last election..“There’s no point into getting into a partisan civil war,” said Kenney.“There’s no secret there will be a review vote in spring and I’m sure there will be a lot of noise between now and then. Stability makes a lot more sense than internal conflict.”.dnaylor@wersternstandardonline.com.Twitter: @Nobby7694
