UNA's 2024 AGM was the largest in the union's history

United Nurses of Alberta’s 2024 annual general meeting was the largest in the union’s history with more than 1,100 delegates, observers, staff members, and guests welcomed to the Edmonton Convention Centre by President Heather Smith on October 22.

The AGM culminated on October 24 with participation in the mass Rally for Respect at the Alberta Legislature by public sector union members and their supporters.

In between, members heard reports from elected officers and senior union managers, considered the state of bargaining for a new Provincial Collective Agreement, heard from high-profile labour economist Jim Stanford (speaking from Australia via Zoom) on the state of the Alberta and Canadian economies, participated in elections for some district representative positions, and passed an annual budget for 2025.

Participants also listened to a panel on the challenges facing health care and other public services. Alberta Federation of Labour President Gil McGowan moderated the discussion by panelists Heather Smith, Alberta Teachers Association President Jason Schilling, Parkland Institute Research Manager Rebecca Graff-McRae, and Friends of Medicare Executive Director Chris Gallaway.

Longtime nursing and union activist Pauline Worsfold was honoured with the 2024 UNA Bread & Roses Award.