Year: 2015
Location: Calgary
Profile: Marle Roberts was born in 1961 in Medicine Hat, where she was raised and where she would later raise her own family. While she had a stay-at-home mom, both her father and grandmother were unionized workers. Roberts learned both from her family and from her own work the impact that unions can have on work environments, and on society as a whole.
She achieved a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and then worked in the field of waste water management as a laboratory technician. Her union involvement began as an appointed member on the Health and Safety Committee, where she succeeded in stopping unsafe company practices to protect her colleagues. One case involved the safety of an entire water treatment plant and a neighbouring town; another ensured proper asbestos remediation. Not everyone was comfortable working with a woman, but Roberts became a trusted person to consult to ensure safety in work projects.
Roberts remained active in union work throughout her career, holding several roles with CUPE, and eventually becoming vice-president of CUPE Local 46. She also participated in other advocacy organizations, including the Alberta Federation of Labour, Public Interest Alberta, and the Council of Canadians.
Keywords: Asbestos; Council of Canadians;CUPE Local 46; Health and Safety Committee; Laboratory technician; Medicine Hat; Microbiology; Privatization; Public Interest Alberta; Waste water management.
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See also: Alberta Federation of Labour; Canadian Union of Public Employees; Occupational Health and Safety in Alberta; Women and Work in Alberta