The demand for training and educating skilled trades workers, technicians, and other specialized professionals should mean an increased role for SAIT, and the work you do, in the near future.

Yet, while we have seen funding directed to infrastructure and new buildings we haven't seen the requisite resources put into supporting the important work you all do on a daily basis. Remember, without your brain and muscle not a single wheel at SAIT will turn. In other words you and your colleagues make SAIT run to the benefit of Albertans every single day.

As President of AUPE, I recognize that and want to thank you for all your hard work. I also want to thank you for your involvement in Local 039. As a democratic organization AUPE functions most effectively when the membership is directly involved. In fact I believe it is absolutely crucial to the vitality, transparency and accountability of AUPE to have an engaged and active membership.

Your Local 039 leaders, along with our other education Locals in Calgary, have been working hard to raise the profile of the work you do and to join forces with your brothers and sisters in other Locals to make sure your voice is heard. I encourage you to participate in any activities or events that are being planned with other education AUPE Locals in these efforts.

Finally, I know your negotiations for a new collective agreement have been long and arduous. We all knew that by going to arbitration it would be a while before being resolved. The arbitration board is now deliberating on the information, proposals, and evidence that AUPE and SAIT submitted in the arbitration hearing. So, the arbitration process is in its final stages; but no definite decision date is known at this time.

In closing, again I want to thank you all for your hard work providing services to those at SAIT, for supporting each other and for being involved in Local 039 to help make it even stronger and more effective in the future.

In Solidarity

Guy Smith

AUPE President