Warning message

Please note that this page is from our archives. There may be more up-to-date content about this topic on our website. Use our search engine to find out.

Alberta-On August 8, 2014, Glenbow Museum notified Local 1645 that they would be contracting out security services, effective September 8, 2014. If this proposed organizational change is accepted, it will result in the loss of 10 full-time and 16 casual positions. 

Sanford Lee, a CUPE National Representative in the Calgary Area Office said, “I met with the CEO, CFO, Corporate Security and the Chair of the Glenbow Board of Directors to address the concerns CUPE has with the museum’s decision to contract out security services.”

“Our issue is that Glenbow is using contractors who employ less-skilled, marginalized workers, with no museum experience, at substantially lower wages with minimal to no health benefits,” Lee said.

Unfortunately this is not the first time Glenbow has undertaken this type of radical change having previously laid off more than 30 employees combined in 2009, 2011 and again in 2012.

CUPE Local 1645 President David Biggar said, “We agreed to allow Glenbow to use contracted workers over the summer months because we were told they had trouble filling shifts.  We found out later that there were casual employees who wanted extra shifts, but these shifts were given to contracted workers instead.”

Glenbow claims it will save $250,000 a year by contracting out security services.   

“Glenbow is trying to force our members out of their jobs, some of which have been dedicated employees over 33 years. I’m not sure Glenbow realizes the negative impact hiring contracted security will have on its operation and its exhibits,” Lee said.

If you have any questions or want to learn more about the impact of this proposed organizational change, please contact Sanford Lee at slee@cupe.ca.

CUPE represents workers in health care, emergency services, education, early learning and child care, municipalities, social services, libraries, utilities, transportation, airlines and more.

Contact:
Naomi Mison
CUPE National, Communications Representative
780.885.3956
nmison@cupe.ca