Use of notwithstanding clause against Alberta teachers will prompt 'unprecedented response' 30 unions tell Smith

Unions across Alberta have drawn a line in the sand against the possibility of the UCP government using the Charter of Rights and Freedoms’ notwithstanding clause to force teachers back to work without a contract.

Following emergency meetings into late Friday evening, a joint press release signed by 30 unions representing more than 350,000 workers promises an “unprecedented response” should Premier Danielle Smith use the notwithstanding clause.

“We urge you, in the strongest possible terms, to rule out the use of the notwithstanding clause as part of your government’s approach to the teachers’ strike,” read the news release from the “Common Front,” as the union coalition calls itself.

“Invoking the clause would be unprecedented in the history of Canadian labour relations. It would a