Unions donated more to PC than NDP in Alberta

[avb3]

From http://daveberta.ca

"According to financial disclosures from*Elections Alberta, the large majority of political donations made by trade unions in the first quarter of 2014 were made to the Progressive Conservatives, with more than $18,000. The province’s social democratic NDP, the traditional party of organized labour, collected*slightly more $6,100 in union donations in the same period."

THAT surprised me. Actually two things surprised me. First of all, that the PCs got more, but also the small amount that was donated.

I would have thought it to be much higher.

[Scott N]

Does that mean that even unions realize that the NDP will never form government in Alberta?

[mad mountain mike]

I think even the unions realize that the NDP would chase a lot of union work out of the province.

[Smokey]

No point wasting money, might as well support the Liberal party thats runs the province, rather then the local bus driver with no influence.

[Peter Gill]

Makes sense, public-sector unions have thrived under the PC.
Taxpayers assumed responsibility for billions in the teachers' pension shortfall and we have the highest-paid public sector in the country (Public Sector Wage Growth in Alberta, UofC School of Public Policy, Volume 5 Issue 1 January 2012). Alberta has more teachers than BC despite fewer students, yet has poorer scholastic results. Highest per-capita health care expenses including the highest-paid nurses, yet outcomes are middle of the pack.
Redfraud's win was due in large part to support from the teachers' union in exchange for $170M in education funding.
This isn't 1993, the Liberals aren't in contention, the next election will be PC vs Wildrose. For unions it's lesser of two evils, they don't want Wildrose to win, so support goes to the PCs.

[catnthehat]

Depends on what unions you are forsaking about ,
Cat

[Jack Hardin]

The Alberta PC's are the new Alberta NDP.

[HyperMOA]

Originally Posted by Jack Hardin

The Alberta PC's are the new Alberta NDP.

Easy now, the NDP aren't that crooked.

[CanuckShooter]

Unions shouldn't be allowed to donate to political parties....only corporations should.....

[Peter Gill]

Federally, neither unions nor corporations can donate to political parties. Maybe there's a lesson there, so people like Katz wouldn't be able to cut $450,000 cheques late in an election campaign? Followed shortly after with a near-doubling in what Alberta pays pharmacies to give "free" flu shots...

[CanuckShooter]

Originally Posted by Peter Gill

Federally, neither unions nor corporations can donate to political parties. Maybe there's a lesson there, so people like Katz wouldn't be able to cut $450,000 cheques late in an election campaign? Followed shortly after with a near-doubling in what Alberta pays pharmacies to give "free" flu shots...

Does it really make a difference? The CEO of a large corporation can just make the donations personally....and collect a tidy tax deduction.

The bigger question should be, is it right that one segment of our society [the wealthy] have the ability to finance their political aspirations better than another segment [the poor]??

[oldgutpile]

Originally Posted by CanuckShooter

Unions shouldn't be allowed to donate to political parties....only corporations should.....

But, Unions ARE big business!

[CanuckShooter]

Originally Posted by oldgutpile

But, Unions ARE big business!

Not even close, name one union that makes profits like a big business.....one that pays their top full time employees millions of dollars a year in compensation....unions are so far from being big business it's not even funny.

[avb3]

Originally Posted by CanuckShooter

Not even close, name one union that makes profits like a big business.....one that pays their top full time employees millions of dollars a year in compensation....unions are so far from being big business it's not even funny.

The Teamsters comes to mind.

[CanuckShooter]

Originally Posted by avb3

The Teamsters comes to mind.

James Hoffa, General President of the Teamsters, earned $372,489; ...


What does a 2nd class power engineer earn in a year?

[HyperMOA]

Originally Posted by CanuckShooter

James Hoffa, General President of the Teamsters, earned $372,489; ...


What does a 2nd class power engineer earn in a year?

Which is what 3 million today???