About My Campaign

Terlesky
4 VP

Making AUPE Better Together, PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR MY PLATFORM-SOLIDARITY!!

Brothers, sisters and friends,

It is an honor to submit my name, Merle Terlesky, for your consideration for the position of AUPE Vice President. I have been active in and around the labor movement since the early 80's, both in BC as a teen, and in AB since 86. I joined AUPE in 2007 and have been in GSS ever since. Since then I have been a solid rep on Local 095 Council, a Chapter Chair ,and vice Chair, and I also am now a rep on the JWHSC. I stand and protect my fellow workers at everyone of those meetings. Many of you know, I am vocal as a delegate at convention! in representation of my fellow workers. I applaud the recent amazing work GOA has done to sign so many of their members for MY AUPE Accts. In GSS, we however have a lot of work to do, with less than half of our Local GSS members signed up. If elected I intend to reach 99% of my assigned area, for MY AUPE. Be it on the phone or in person, it's my personal commitment in the 1st 6 months. Unless they are signed up? a strike is near impossible to make happen! Please go to www. aupe.org and sign up-soon!

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There are 3 main reasons I wish to be your VP:

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• Defend your contract in any and all circumstances, and bring wages closer to the rate of inflation.

• Support the demand for better wages and benefits for all AUPE members

• Work in solidarity with the other 5 VP’s. It is my desire to make this new Executive strong and vibrant, working in unison to protect all members and further create a work environment that elevates all its members, helping to make this union YOUR union!

• Further, a spirit of inclusion within the union for all its members. I stand by our statement of equality and treaty acknowledgement without hesitation! 

• Create an environment of transparency and open communication. Too many members feel a disconnect with our union. This needs to be corrected, so that EVERY member feels valued and appreciated, in EVERY communication, between the Executive and its members. You matter! You matter in every interaction, in every phone call and in every email.  I will always strive to give you my respect and well-deserved attention. You will never feel ignored. I am here for you today, and I will be here for you tomorrow! PINK, the artist has a song "what about us" well you will never feel left alone! with VP Terlesky. Never will I ignore you. I am here for YOUR interests-not mine. That is my solemn promise to all AUPE members.

 

 We are faced now with multi-tables of bargaining with the anti-union UCP Govt.  I agree with what one of our current Executive members told me at Labour School 2023, "It matters not what government is in power We defend our members rights!” I will do exactly that. No matter the government, I will defend our Collective Agreements and the rights of all our members, whenever and wherever. I will stand steadfast in a politically NEUTRAL stance for the members!! AUPE works to educate people on politics, but does not follow any party direction. GSS has been counter offered 3%,3%,2%,2% that's an insult!! If GSS votes to strike? I will be there as a Picket Captain!.

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The Future
 

Be it at a chapter AGM, council meeting or on the picket line, you can depend on TERLESKY! 2025 will see a new round of bargaining with upwards of 81,000 members represented. There are many pending issues that are important to you and, as such, important to me. 
 

• I would like to explore the 4-day work week without a loss in pay, as UAW in America has advanced. There is much evidence to support this leads to greater productivity and a healthier workforce. It would also allow for more time for you to spend with your loved ones. This is something I strongly believe we should be investigating for AHS and GOA. Working with the negotiating Commitee maybe it's something to look at?

• For far too long, unions across Alberta have worked independent of each other in their struggles to further the causes of their membership.  This strategy, or perhaps lack of strategy, makes our efforts more challenging. While many of our brother unions have differences that have hampered any joint collaboration, we must learn to work together. We live in a time when unions are being attacked at all levels of government and corporate, and we must find better ways to communicate and work together. I will endeavor to create channels of communication and collaboration through committees and Executive level discussions, across all unions in this province and indeed this great nation, to benefit ALL union workers.

• United we can NOT be defeated! In solidarity we are strong be it CUPW, Teachers, Air Canada workers, we all fight together to win, win, win!!

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AUPE is now over 100,000 members, I will go wherever I am needed in this great province of Alberta, be it the steps of the Alberta Legislature or in our cities like Grand Prairie and Fort-Mac. I will fight for you, be it rain or shine?, to always put the interests of our great union first and foremost. I will fight for all our members in unity and solidarity, together we will win! Please let me put my history of labor activism to work for you, and AUPE, one of the greatest unions this province has ever known.  Recently I took some time on a Saturday to visit with locked-out AUPE members in Coaldale, AB, it was a pleasure to do so
 

As one of our current executives recently said, “Our union’s democracy is our union’s foundation, we only get stronger when new, diverse, energetic voices get involved. These leaders and activists will be fully supported, including with resources and educational opportunities, to fulfill the commitment they have made to their fellow workers.” You have my commitment as well, today and for the next two years. Please consider my name on election day at Convention 2025. It has come to my attention that at convention some Local Chairs have pressured a delegate how to vote!?? Please report it? if it occurs.

IT'S YOUR VOTE and YOUR'S ALONE!
 

Terlesky
4 VP

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In solidarity, we stand! merlet@shaw.ca  Inclusion, Diversity, Equality!! Please email me ANY Q's U have? as there is limited time in the Q/A bear pit.