CSU 52 - History of CSU 52

About CSU 52

Civic Service Union 52 currently has a membership of approximately 5,000 members. The Union represents technical, professional, administrative and clerical workers within the City of Edmonton, the Edmonton Public Library, TELUS World of Science - Edmonton, EPCOR (Edmonton & Calgary), and Capital Power Corporation.

Our Vision Statement

We value our members and uphold the principles of our Union.

We treat our members with fairness, dignity and respect.

Our Mission Statement

We provide the membership with quality leadership, informed advice, valuable services and ensure fairness and equality.

We protect and continue to enhance existing workers' rights and provide excellent representation.

We develop collaborative relationships with labour organizations and actively support our community.

Our Commitment Statement

To maintain, promote and provide excellent service, representation and support to our members.

To enhance levels of communication, preserve equality and confidentiality and foster trust.

To protect and ensure workers' rights and improve working conditions for our members.

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Edmonton's Civic Service Union 52: A Century of Service

This book was produced by the CSU 52 History Committee with the assistance of the Alberta Labour History Institute (ALHI) as part of the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Union in 2009.

"The short narratives in this book attempt to trace the birth, growth, setbacks and accomplishments that have shaped both CSU 52 and the City of Edmonton over the past century. The story they tell is not intended to provide a complete or authoritative history. They are a collection of 'memories' that we hope will promote an appreciation of the Union and its members, and the role they have played in building and running the City."

This book is currently only available to CSU 52 members. Please contact us at info@csu52.org for more information.

History of CSU 52

The Edmonton Civic Service Association was formed in 1909. The Association represented clerical, technical and administrative employees of the City of Edmonton. On April 15, 1918, the Association, now know as the Edmonton Civic Service Union 52, affiliated with the National Union of Public Employees and received its charter from the Trades and Labour Congress of Canada.

In 1963, the National Union of Public Employees and the National Union of Public Service Employees merged. The new organization was titled the Canadian Union of Public Employees or C.U.P.E. At a General Meeting held in 1963, the members of CSU 52 voted to maintain the independent affiliation previously held with C.U.P.E. with the Canadian Union of Public Employees. With approximately 85,000 members, C.U.P.E. National was the largest labour organization in Canada.

In 1965, C.U.P.E. National hired Business Agents under the employment of the affiliates Canada-wide. The intent of this re-organization was that the membership would be better represented if the business affairs were coordinated by one national office in Ottawa.

In 1969, due to a perceived decline in services provided, CSU 52 restored the self-servicing structure previously practiced and once again hired its own Business Agents and Legal Representation. Other large Unions in Canada made similar moves. CSU 52 was overtly challenged by C.U.P.E. National.

The confrontation resulted in Constitutional amendments passed at the C.U.P.E. National Convention in 1969. These amendments recognized the necessity for the affiliates to hire local Business Agents. The improved representation of CSU 52 members was, in part, resolved and the independent affiliation was maintained.

On March 7, 1978, motivated by concerns over the National office’s interference in local political affairs, inadequate training programs and lower per-capita tax payments by Eastern affiliates than Western affiliates, CSU 52 severed its affiliation with C.U.P.E.

At this time, the Union was paying an excess of $175,000 per annum to maintain its affiliation with C.U.P.E. National and membership in the Canadian Labour Congress.

Despite legal challenges and periodic attempts to raid our membership, CSU 52 has remained as an Independent Union since March 7, 1978. The dues paid by our members are still amongst the lowest in North America.