Year: 2009
Location: Edmonton
Profile (Leo Derkach): Leo Derkach was born in Edmonton and raised in the city as well as Saskatchewan. Shortly after graduating from NAIT with a diploma in civil engineering, he joined the City of Edmonton Water and Sanitation Department in 1972. He soon agreed to serve as shop steward, then chief steward, and finally treasurer of his local, CSU 52, which was affiliated with CUPE before 1978 when it declared its independence as the representative of inside workers for the City.
Profile (Gary Iskiw) Gary Iskiw was born on a farm near Myrnam, Alberta. He graduated from NAIT’s drafting program, and after working a few years in the private sector, joined the City of Edmonton Drafting Department in 1975, also part of CSU 52. He served as shop steward and a member of the negotiating team before becoming vice-president of the local.
Both interviewees tell the story of the 1976 CUPE strike in Edmonton which resulted in workers being out for two weeks and winning a wage increase that was soon nullified because of federal wage and price controls. Regarding that strike as having been useless, and wanting more local authority than CUPE was prepared to give them, the inside workers broke with CUPE altogether.
Keywords: City of Edmonton Drafting Department; City of Edmonton Water and Sanitation Department; CUPE City of Edmonton strike, 1976; Inside workers; NAIT; Shop steward; Wage and price controls.
Transcript: Download PDF
See also: Alberta Federation of Labour; Occupational Health and Safety; Canadian Union of Public Employees; Civic Service Union 52