Members of the UCP government have reacted with anger over a website by the NDP-affiliated Alberta Federation of Labour showing addresses of businesses that donated to pro-UCP Political Action Committees (PACs)..The AFL said people should avoid shopping at those businesses and the website shows their addresses..“These are the businesses that have been bankrolling the UCP agenda – an agenda that is kicking Albertans when they’re down,” said AFL president Gil McGowan..“Why should a nurse, a teacher or a firefighter buy a car from an auto dealer who wants them to be fired or have their wages cut? Why should Albertans who believe in a strong public health care system and a strong public education system patronize a business that is cheerleading cuts and privatization? Why should workers spend their hard-earned money in establishments run by people who want to suppress their wages, eliminate their overtime, silence their voices and limit their rights?”. POLL: Many Albertans say they will ignore Christmas COVID lockdown .The campaign quickly drew the ire of UCP members..Matt Wolf, the Premier Jason Kenney’s issue manager, tweeted: “In July, Rachel Notley wouldn’t renounce AFL union boss Gil McGowan’s diminishing the crimes of the Nazis. Today, Notley refused to denounce McGowan’s blacklist campaign of Alberta small businesses. Reminder: McGowan’s AFL sits on the Notley NDP’s Provincial Council.”.MLA’s were also angered..“Whoever thought up this campaign should be ashamed and it needs to stop,” Doug Schweitzer, minister of jobs, economy and innovation, said in a statement..“It’s disturbing to see an organization that is supposed to represent workers launch a campaign that hurts Alberta’s job creators.”.The UCP government passed Bill 32 so that workers can opt out of union dues if they do not want to be associated with “campaigns designed to kill jobs in Alberta,” Schweitzer said..The Western Standard has asked for comment from Rachel Notley but so far hasn’t received a reply..…more to come.Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.TWITTER: Twitter.com/nobby7694
