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Occupy Calgary got a boost from local labour leaders this weekend.

Dozens of union supporters and demonstrators joined the the Olympic Plaza group Saturday and rallied for labour solidarity outside Calgary's City Hall.

The Alberta Federation of Labour's Terry Inigo-Jones said joining the Occupy movement was a natural fit.

"They're fighting for some of the same issues that we've been fighting for for nearly 100 years, so we've issued statements of support for them," he said.

Inigo-Jones said that some key issues the two groups share are fair wages for workers and reliable funding for public services such as health care and education.

Anti-Occupy Calgary demonstrators gathered at Occupy Calgary's Labour Solidarity Rally on Saturday. The Chicken is wearing a Mayor Naheed Nenshi nametag that also says "Chicken Mayor." Meghan Grant/CBCAlexander Chevaler, the president of the Calgary and District Labour Council, said he was at the rally to highlight the overlap between the Occupy and labour movements.

Chevaler petitioned Calgary city council to allow Occupy Calgary to stay in Olympic Plaza.

"Our democratic institutions that are designed to protect us have failed to do so," he said.

Occupy Calgary protesters said they're ready to wait out winter at Olympic Plaza.

This week, the Occupy Edmonton group received a $7,500 donation from Occupy Wall Street for winterized tents.

Edmonton had its first snowfall of the year early Saturday morning, and demonstrators there vow they will wait out the winter.

cbc.ca, Sat Nov 12 2011

out in Olympic Plaza has landed one Occupy Calgary protester a $500 fine.

While stamping out a cigarette on Saturday morning, James Bullock was approached by two police officers and reprimanded.

"I think this is complete bull----," Bullock said. "The government needs to take this and shove it up their a-- and have a nice day.

"I can't afford this, man," he continued. "I only get $1,180 a month. You think I can afford a $500 ticket when I need to pay rent, my groceries and medical bills?"

Earlier this week, the city said it would eventually ticket, warn and then confiscate Occupy Calgary's gear, which has been set up in Olympic Plaza for more than three weeks.

However, mayor Naheed Nenshi has offered no timeline for the eviction. Meanwhile, occupiers claim they're being fined for petty infractions more frequently.

Protester Christopher Beggs feels the group is being unfairly targeted.

"We're getting new tickets every minute," said Beggs, who claims he was fined $50 for playing music in a park space. "Especially since they realized they're not going to be able to evict us under their normal avenues and channels."

"They just used the opportunity to take advantage of the bylaw," he said of the ticket. "It's discrimination."

Beggs said the group has been consulting lawyers daily and will be appealing the fines.

Bill Bruce, director of animal and bylaw services, said the city is continuing to enforce all normal bylaws, with the exception of the one that bars the protesters from camping in the park.

"This is exactly what we said (we'd do) and we've kept that up," he said.

Police and bylaw officers are continuing to monitor the situation.

City negotiators are still hoping for a peaceful and orderly solution, said Tom Sampson, the head of the Calgary Emergency Management Agency.

"We're on to dealing with the eighth person representing the squatting group at Olympic Plaza. There have been a few changeovers there," he said.

Protester Brent Talbot, who received a summon earlier in the week, estimated over 30 tickets have been given out over the last three days.

Despite the ticketing, Talbot said the group hasn't been deterred.

"It makes us stronger," he said. "It makes us more cohesive. It makes us more creative. It brings us together for more powerful conversations."

Meanwhile, Saturday also saw labour organizations join occupiers in a rally held outside City Hall.

Members of the Calgary & District Labour Council, Alberta Federation of Labour, and Teamsters Canada Rail Conference spoke to a group over 60 people.

CDLC president Alex Shevalier said the groups share common ground.

"(The) Occupy Calgary movement is very much a grassroots movement that sprang up to try to reduce some of the inequities in our society," Shevalier said.

"It started a conversation off in this country that really wasn't happening," he added. "We hope that conversation will continue."

Calgary Herald, Sat Nov 12 2011

Unions from across the city and Occupy Calgary rallied Saturday afternoon in front of City Hall.

A number of Unions were in attendance:

-CUPE Local 40: support for striking school board workers

-CUPE 37: outside workers of Calgary

-Calgary and District Labour Council

-Teamsters Canada Rail Conference Division 355

-Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1374

-Alberta Federation of Labour

During the rally, Amanda West from the ATU Local 1374 said she is concerned with the lack of full-time jobs.

"The fact that there are so many more part time jobs now than there ever have been full-time jobs is scary," West says.

Bob Anderson from CUPE Local 40 says cuts to education must stop and students should be able to learn in a safe environment.

"I was in a classroom the other day where the air handling system was rattling so much it had to be shut off so you can communicate," Anderson says.

President of the Calgary and District Labour Council Alexander Shevalier says the labour movement and Occupy Calgary both believe institutions aren't working for Canadians.

For example, Shevalier says there's only 102 occupational health and safety inspectors for 140,000 employers in Alberta and employment insurance is a maze of vague law that makes the worker obligations difficult to understand.

A representative from Alberta Federation of Labour spoke during the rally and they feel Occupy Calgary has every right to camp out at Olympic Plaza.

Union leaders also thanked Occupy Calgary for all their hard work.

660News, Sat Nov 12 2011

Not everyone is upset with the Keystone XL pipeline set back.

Gil McGowan, the President of the Alberta Federation of Labour, says Premier Redford should be looking at this as an opportunity, not a disappointment.

"We in the Alberta labour movement actually applaud President Obama's decision to put a hold on the Keystone XL pipeline," says McGowan. "In fact, we'd like to see it cancelled all together."

McGowan feels the province should be finding ways to move up the value ladder in terms of refining and upgrading our raw bitumen, instead of shipping it south of the border, along with high paying jobs.

"It's a vision for the future which I think is supported by the vast majority of Albertans - - which I'm convinced is the way we should go because it would provide a much stronger economic foundation going forward as opposed to continually selling our resources at the lowest possible level in terms of the value chain."

McGowan says most of the energy companies calling for the export of raw bitumen are American companies based in the states, and it's in their interests to send it down to their plants, south of the border.

iNews880am, Fri Nov 11 2011

 Edmonton – The Alberta Federation of Labour applauds the Obama administration’s decision to delay the Keystone XL pipeline, saying it will give the Redford government an opportunity to pursue value-added opportunities here at home, rather than shipping unprocessed bitumen south for upgrading.

“There’s been a parade of Alberta government ministers travelling to the States to sell unprocessed bitumen. Now perhaps those same ministers can stay in Alberta and consider our needs and our future ahead of those of our neighbours south of the border,” says Gil McGowan, president of the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL), which represents 145,000 workers.

“Upgrading more bitumen in Alberta will help our province in many ways. Increasing value-added industries will provide quality, long-term jobs for Albertans and Canadians. While good relationships with our neighbours are important, the government of Alberta must promote the long-term health of our province first. Increasing value-added energy industries in Alberta will increase revenues from royalties and taxes,” he says.

“As bitumen is upgraded and moved up the value chain, more funds will flow into the Treasury through higher royalties on finished products. This is money that can be used to pay for important public services like health care and education,” says McGowan.

McGowan took particular exception to the Wildrose Party’s reaction to the delay of the Keystone XL pipeline.

“The Wildrose Party was playing fast and loose with the facts in their media release today. They should avoid fear mongering. The truth is that this pipeline is bad news for quality jobs and bad news for royalties,” says McGowan.

“Danielle Smith is trying to convince us that we’ll lose billions in royalties if the Keystone XL pipeline isn’t approved, but the opposite is true. If we export unprocessed bitumen, we ruin a great competitive advantage,” says McGowan

“The National Energy Board notes that, ‘wide differentials provide refiners with an economic incentive to build heavy oil conversion capacity.’ If we get rid of the prices differential between our bitumen and global crude, we destroy future opportunities to boost our value-added industries,” he says.

“In this context, Albertans should see the Obama administration’s decision as an opportunity, not a disappointment. It is an opportunity for us to move up the value chain and create a more prosperous and stable economic future for Albertans.”

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Media Contact:

Gil McGowan, President, Alberta Federation of Labour @ 780-218-9888 (cell)

Issue: Members of the Occupy Calgary movement and union leaders from the Calgary area will hold a Labour Solidarity Rally at Calgary City Hall at noon on Saturday, November 12th.

Actions Requested: Join the rally to show your support and solidarity for the fight for workers' rights, a fair wage for a good job and an end to greed and the income inequality plaguing our society.

When: Noon, Saturday, November 12th.

Issue:

The Occupy movement in Calgary, across Canada and around the world is fighting for many of the same things for which the labour movement has campaigned for decades: Workers getting a fair wage; reliable funding for our public services including health care and education; an end to profitable multinational corporations being given billions of our dollars while working people get less and less. Workers are part of the 99%.

AFL's Position: The Occupy movement is protesting income inequality, funding cuts to public services, tax breaks for the wealthy. Despite claims to the contrary, the protestors have legitimate concerns and have come up with specific solutions, such as the Robin Hood Tax on transactions by financial institutions to combat poverty. They have spoken openly about the positive role that unions can play in building a better Calgary, a better Alberta and a better Canada. Occupy Calgary has called for this rally to show solidarity with workers under attack from the Harper government, which has shown its contempt for workers' rights and the ability to bargain collectively.

Even Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney – a former Goldman Sachs investment banker and newly appointed by the G20 as the man to overhaul international banking industry – has acknowledged that the Occupy demonstrations are a "democratic expression of views" and are "entirely constructive." The Occupy movement is helping to keep pressure on governments to introduce vital reforms to the banking industry to prevent the kind of recession that swept the globe in 2008 and caused so much harm to so many.

We support the Occupy movements because they offer a sign of hope that a better, fairer, and more tolerant world may yet emerge from the ashes of the ongoing global financial crisis.

The powers that be have often sought to confront and quash peaceful protests, like those by supporters of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi. Years later, with the benefit of hindsight, those same societies looked back at the protesters and applauded their courage and conviction – and with horror of the attempts by authorities to silence them.

Action: Join the rally at Calgary City Hall at noon on Saturday, November 12th, to show your support and solidarity for the fight for workers' rights, a fair wage for a good job and an end to greed and the income inequality plaguing our society. Help support the Occupy Calgary occupiers by bringing donations of fresh fruit and vegetables and non-perishable food items, clothing and winter apparel, tenting gear, blankets, foldable chairs, tarps, and monetary donations.

The U.S. State Department has ordered an environmental assessment for a new Keystone XL pipeline route, allowing U.S. President Barack Obama to shelve the controversial issue until after the 2012 elections.

Calgary-based TransCanada Corp. has been trying to build the $7-billion pipeline to carry mostly Canadian oilsands bitumen from Hardisty, Alta., to the Texas coastline in the Gulf of Mexico since 2008.

The State Department will assess the potential of alternative routes in Nebraska after public concerns surfaced regarding the environmental sensitivities of the current proposed route through the Sand Hills area.

"Obviously very, very disappointed," said TransCanada CEO Russ Girling. "After 40 months of rigorous review, hundreds of public meetings and onsite consultations, thousands and thousands of pages of documents, a draft environmental assessment, a supplementary draft environmental assessment, a final environmental assessment to come to the conclusion that we need more study is obviously disappointing for us and is going to be disappointing for our customers."

MAP

Canada's crude oil pipeline Charting TransCanada's proposed Keystone XL pipelineGirling said TransCanada looked at eight possible routes through Nebraska, so he thinks the discussion for a new route will start with one of those options that avoids Sand Hills.

However, he said TransCanada feels the smallest impact on the environment lies with the proposed route.

In a special briefing teleconference from Washington, D.C.,Thursday, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs assistant secretary Kerri-Ann Jones said that while some of the other options avoided Sand Hills they didn't follow the original route so a new segment that hasn't been studied yet may be needed.

But Girling said the company has been building pipelines for 60 years in every condition imaginable safely and reliable.

"We can route a pipeline through the Andes, over the Rocky Mountains, through the Everglades, through the Sand Hills," he said.

Girling said he is surprised by the push-back. He thinks it has turned from a pipeline approval request into a flashpoint of fierce debate about renewable sources of energy versus fossil fuels and America's dependency on foreign oil, sparking ever-larger and louder protests in the United States.

"To have a debate about that over a pipeline is ridiculous," he said, adding there is no choice to not use fossil fuels in today's world. Girling said the question is where America gets oil from until that day arrives.

Girling said TransCanada supports a migration to a less carbon-intensive energy world, which he said is demonstrated by the company's wind, nuclear and gas-fired power plant initiatives.

TransCanada CEO Russ Girling says TransCanada will work with the State Department on new options. CBS "We understand where the future is going, but we are not going to get there tomorrow," he said. "We need oil in this continent and we need safe and secure oil, that's what keeps the economy rolling."

The assessment could take as long as 18 months, which would delay the ultimate decision until sometime in early 2013.

"I support the State Department's announcement today regarding the need to seek additional information," Obama said in a statement. "We should take the time to ensure that all questions are properly addressed and all the potential impacts are properly understood."

TransCanada still confident of approval

TransCanada said it will work with the State Department in looking at new options for the pipeline route.

"We remain confident Keystone XL will ultimately be approved," said Girling in a release.

"This project is too important to the U.S. economy, the Canadian economy and the national interest of the United States for it not to proceed."

Just last week, Girling had warned that any delay could cause oil companies to back out of commitments to use the pipeline.

"If Keystone XL dies, Americans will still wake up the next morning and continue to import 10 million barrels of oil from repressive nations, without the benefit of thousands of jobs and long-term energy security," Girling said. "That would be a tragedy."

Your VoteWhat do you think of the Keystone XL pipeline project being delayed to 2013?

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Alberta should process the bitumen here

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Note: This is not a scientific poll.Opponents have raised concerns about crossing above the Ogallala aquifer, which supplies the drinking water to 1.5 million people in eight states.

A victory for environmentalists

The decision represented a stunning victory for the North American environmental movement. For months, Keystone XL has been the target of angry protests on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border.

The Pembina Institute, an Edmonton-based environmental organization, applauded the decision, saying similar considerations should be used to assess the pipeline proposed by Enbridge to carry oilsands crude from Alberta to Kitimat, B.C.

"This decision stands in stark contrast with the Canadian government's approach to the proposed Enbridge Gateway pipeline," Pembina Dan Woynillowicz said in a release.

"Rather than maintaining an objective perspective on this pipeline, Prime Minister Harper and his cabinet have been actively promoting its approval before public hearings on the environmental impacts of the project have even begun," he said.

The Prime Minister's Office expressed disappointment with the delay.

"We continue to believe the Keystone XL pipeline will create thousands of jobs and billions in economic growth on both sides of the border," said Harper's spokesman Andrew MacDougall in an email. "While we are disappointed with the delay, we remain hopeful the project will be decided on its merits and eventually approved."

"In the meantime, our government will continue to promote Canada, and the oilsands, as a stable, secure, and responsible source of energy for the world."

Alberta premier reacts

Alberta Premier Alison Redford also expressed disappointment and said she will go to Washington next week to get some answers.

Redford called it a setback for Alberta's oil industry.

Alberta Premier Alison Redford said she hoped the State Department's decision was based on 'science and evidence and not rhetoric and hyperbole from very well-organized interest groups.' CBC"I sincerely hope that the State Department made this decision based on science and evidence and not rhetoric and hyperbole from very well-organized interest groups," she said in a release.

Alberta's NDP Leader Brian Mason said the uncertainty over the project is an opportunity to reconsider building the pipeline.

He urged the premier to reverse her support for it and commit to upgrading Alberta bitumen in Alberta. Gil McGowan — the president of the Alberta Federation of Labour — agreed, saying the government should consider Alberta's needs and future ahead of our neighbours south of the border.

Proponents say the pipeline will provide thousands of jobs, billions of dollars worth of economic activity and supply a steady stream of reliable oil to the U.S. market. But opponents say it is an ecological disaster waiting to happen.

A lobbyist for TransCanada expressed dismay about the decision, saying it stemmed from "a couple of senior advisers" in the White House.

"It's breathtaking; the White House's political operation gave in to the protesters, going completely outside the national interest and the three-year permit process that's been a painstaking one," the lobbyist, who asked not to be identified, told The Canadian Press.

"The ballsier thing would have been to either approve it or deny it, but to kick the can again is actually more difficult for the president politically. There's 20,000 jobs on the table and they did this to save one — Barack Obama's."

The White House was reportedly increasingly concerned that the Canadian pipeline would cost Obama much-needed votes in the election. Environmentalists within his liberal base had vowed to stay home if he gave Keystone XL the green light.

TransCanada shares closed down 73 cents, or 1.8 per cent, at $39.85 on heavy volume on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

CBCnews, Thurs Nov 10 2011

South Korean woman Kim Jin-suk has touched ground for the first time since January to end her 309 day protest against Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction. She confined herself to the cramped conditions of a 35 metre tall crane in the southern port city of Busan, with no electricity or washing facilities.

South Korean Kim Jin-suk just before ending her successful 309 day 'living in a crane' protest.

The protest began when Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction announced it was cutting 400 jobs from its shipyard. Since then thousands of protesters have rallied and marched through Busan in a show support facing resistance from the authorities and often ending in many arrests.

Initially it was thought that an agreement would be reached gaining improved compensation for those that had been laid-off. However the protests continued as they valued jobs over compensation. Kim had said that she would not come down until the workers were reinstated.

After 309 days she has succeeded with the union finally approving a compromise with management whereby 94 laid-off workers would be rehired within the year. Workers were to be compensated with 20 million Won (£11,000) and the damage lawsuits previously filed against them were to be dropped.

Thousands of protesters have rallied and marched through Busan in a show support facing resistance from the authorities and often ending in many arrests.

"The agreement will take effect when activist Kim descends the crane," said a union leader. "Kim said she would come down if union members vote to accept the agreement."

Unfortunately following a medical check-up Kim Jin-suk is to be arrested on charges of obstructing business and trespassing although this will meet with fierce resistance from the laid off workers.

The protest had cost Hajin millions of pounds and the company revealed a net loss of 51.7 billion won (£31million) last year.

Vertikal.net,Thurs Nov 10 2011

A fresh warning issued to the city comes from the head of Alberta's most powerful labour group, who says any move against the Occupy Calgary protesters could ruin Calgary's reputation.

According to The Calgary Sun, the president of the Alberta Federation of Labour wrote a letter to the mayor saying the city shouldn't evict tenters.

Gil McGowan says they can't deny the right to peaceful protest if they really believe in democracy.

The AFL represents 140,000 union workers in the province.

660news.com, Thurs Nov 10 2011

CALGARY - The Obama administration's decision to delay its approval of the Keystone XL pipeline could have serious consequences for the Alberta economy, and the energy sector that drives much of it, Premier Alison Redford warned Thursday.

"It is disappointing that after more than three years of exhaustive analysis and consultation on this critical project, we find out that a decision will be delayed until early 2013," she said.

TransCanada Corp.'s (TSX:TRP) proposed pipeline would carry millions of barrels of crude each week from the northern Alberta oilsands — and some U.S. oilfields along the way — to Texas refineries. The Gulf Coast is a coveted market for oilsands producers, many of which are in the midst of expanding their bitumen production.

The State Department said earlier Thursday it wants TransCanada to explore other routes for the controversial pipeline so it skirts ecologically sensitive areas of Nebraska. That will delay the US$7-billion project by years, and could kill it outright if TransCanada customers lose patience and find other alternatives.

The Alberta government respects the fact that the decision over the pipeline rests with U.S. authorities, but said Keystone XL is a key piece of infrastructure for Alberta.

"Our energy industry supports this province and this country, and it is imperative that we can move our products to market," Redford told a news conference.

Redford was already scheduled to visit Washington next week for the first time since becoming premier, and said she will press U.S. officials on the Keystone decision when she meets with them.

Her itinerary hasn't been altered in light of Thursday's developments, though that may change.

"There is a possibility, because dynamics are changing so quickly, that opportunities can present themselves. We'll assess that as this goes on."

It's hard at this point to pin down what revenue impact Alberta coffers may see if Keystone is delayed for a long time, or killed all-together.

"At this point in time...it is a project that is not currently on the books or providing revenue to the province of Alberta," she said.

"No doubt it would have an impact on our revenue, but at the end of the day, it's not detailed work that we've done in the absence of the project actually operating."

TransCanada CEO Russ Girling said he's confident Keystone XL will ultimately be approved.

"This project is too important to the U.S. economy, the Canadian economy and the national interest of the United States for it not to proceed," Girling said in a statement.

Travis Davies, spokesman for the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, said his group is also optimistic Keystone XL will go ahead on its own merit eventually.

"It's good for Canada, and it's good for the U.S. It makes sense economically, environmentally and from an energy supply standpoint," he told reporters.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce said the United States risks missing out on the opportunity to create jobs and to wean itself off of crude imports from unfriendly regimes.

"There is no doubt that the rich energy supplies from Canada's oilsands will be brought to market. The only question now is whether the U.S. will be among the beneficiaries."

Unions in Canada have come out against Keystone because they say it would ship high-paying refining and upgrading jobs south of the border along with the raw bitumen.

Dave Coles, president of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada, cheered the decision to delay a pipeline he called a "job killer."

"We have stepped back from the abyss," he said.

The Alberta Federation of Labour was also pleased with the delay, saying "it will give the Redford government an opportunity to pursue value-added opportunities here at home, rather than shipping unprocessed bitumen south for upgrading."

The review of new routes could be completed "as early as the first quarter of 2013," State Department said — several months after next November's presidential election. The State Department decision effectively means Obama can dodge a political bullet since he won't have to decide whether to approve the project until after U.S. voters go to the polls.

When Redford was asked whether the U.S. election had anything to do with the delay, she said: "Everybody watching knows we live in a complicated world."

The pipeline would traverse six U.S. states to Gulf Coast refineries. Its current proposed route crosses the Sand Hills area of Nebraska, the location of the Ogallala aquifer, a crucial source of drinking water to millions on the Great Plains.

"Taken together with the national concern about the pipeline's route, the department has determined it is necessary to examine in-depth alternative routes that would avoid the Sand Hills in Nebraska in order to move forward with a national interest determination for the presidential permit," the State Department said.

Obama praised the State Department's decision, saying it's necessary because a final decision "could affect the health and safety of the American people as well as the environment."

"The final decision should be guided by an open, transparent process that is informed by the best available science and the voices of the American people," Obama said in a statement.

The reaction from the Prime Minister's Office was of a decidedly different tone.

"We are disappointed," said Andrew MacDougall, a spokesman for Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Keystone XL, he said, promises to create thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic growth on both sides of the border.

"We remain hopeful the project will be decided on its merits and eventually approved. In the meantime, our government will continue to promote Canada and the oilsands as a stable, secure, and responsible source of energy for the world."

The decision represents a stunning victory for the North American environmental movement. For months, Keystone XL has been the target of angry protests on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border and a major source of consternation for Obama.

"A year ago this pipeline was assumed to be a done deal, but thanks to the amazing strength and determination of ordinary people concerned about water, climate change and the health of communities, we have a decision that brings us a little closer to the world we need," said Greenpeace anti-oilsands campaigner Mike Hudema.

A lobbyist for TransCanada expressed dismay about the decision, saying it stemmed from "a couple of senior advisers" in the White House.

"It's breathtaking; the White House's political operation gave in to the protesters, going completely outside the national interest and the three-year permit process that's been a painstaking one," the lobbyist, who asked not to be identified, told The Canadian Press.

"The ballsier thing would have been to either approve it or deny it, but to kick the can again is actually more difficult for the president politically. There's 20,000 jobs on the table and they did this to save one — Barack Obama's."

Indeed, the White House was reportedly becoming increasingly concerned that the Canadian pipeline would cost Obama much-needed votes in the election. Environmentalists within his liberal base had vowed to stay home if he gave Keystone XL the green light.

Global BC, Thurs Nov 10 2011