Latest news with #GuySmith
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Milwaukee County trades fireworks for drones for its July 3 celebration
Milwaukee, get ready to celebrate Independence Day with a slight tech-savvy twist this year. Milwaukee County, in collaboration with the Milwaukee Parks Foundation, plans to use drones instead of fireworks for its long-standing McKinley Beach July 3 celebration. The drone show will blend "cutting-edge drone technology with an original synchronized soundtrack for a dazzling 45-minute performance," featuring images of Milwaukee's iconic landmarks as well as patriotic and local themes, according to the county. 'Milwaukee County is at its best when we come together to create memorable, inclusive experiences for everyone," Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said in a news release. "We're proud to bring the community together for this first-of-its-kind drone show, highlighting not just our beautiful lakefront but the creativity and collaboration that make Milwaukee County so special." The switch marks a national shift in other cities across the country, including Napa, Tahoe City, and Salt Lake City, that have chosen drone shows over fireworks for July 4 celebrations. For many cities, the use of drones offers a safer, eco-friendly and noise-free spectacle. The City of Wauwatosa has also decided to ditch traditional fireworks, replacing them with a drone show July 2. 'This drone show is an exciting and environmentally conscious way to celebrate our community," Guy Smith, executive director of Milwaukee County Parks, said in the release. "Unlike traditional fireworks, drone shows reduce noise and air pollution while still delivering an unforgettable experience ... It's about making memories and ensuring everyone feels welcome in these shared spaces.' The display is expected to start around 9:15 p.m., with public viewing areas available at McKinley Beach and McKinley Park. In 2024, Milwaukee County canceled its annual July 3 lakefront fireworks show due to a lack of sponsorship funding. The county's parks department previously shared that the fireworks display usually cost roughly $350,000 for pyrotechnics and $20,000 for additional staffing and service costs related to the event. The event typically draws in over 100,000 people from across Wisconsin. Bridget Fogarty of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this article. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee County trades fireworks for drones for its July 3 celebration
Calgary Herald
13-05-2025
- Business
- Calgary Herald
Willing to strike: Huge turnout in unprecedented AUPE vote while province claims market woes
Some 23,000 members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees who are directly employed by the province showed unprecedented turnout and support in last week's strike vote. Article content Article content For the subset of the larger 100,000-member AUPE, it was the first major test of union laws compelled by Canada's Supreme Court a decade ago that acknowledged the constitutional right of workers to full collective bargaining rights and strikes. Article content Article content With an 80 per cent turnout of members eligible to vote, and 90 per cent voting in favour of strike action if necessary, Western Canada's largest union showed 'huge engagement,' said AUPE president Guy Smith. Article content Article content 'We've never, ever had a strike vote this large before. It's the first time we've done this in our 106-year history, hold such a large strike vote. And you know, you're never quite sure how it's going to go until you put it in the hands of the members. The members are always right, but I'm so proud that they are engaged and aware of what's going on.' Article content Strike action is somewhat restricted by essential service agreements declaring certain critical services must be provided during a strike. Of the estimated 23,000 members, about 25 per cent are deemed 'essential services' and exempted from taking strike action, including members who are correctional officers and sheriffs who uphold the operation of law and order, and some in social services. Article content Finance Minister Nate Horner started Tuesday's news conference with the day's market price of oil, at US$63.85 — a changing figure much touted as central to Alberta revenues and corresponding fiscal planning. Article content Article content Noting the 'novel situation' the government finds itself in, Horner said his focus is ensuring 'a fair deal looking at the market evidence.' Article content Article content 'What I've been saying is that a strike or a lockout won't change the market data,' he said. Article content Government pressure with talk of economic woes is nothing new to the negotiation process, Smith said. Article content 'Always the price of oil comes up, and it's always, 'The government fiscal situation' that really is a barrier to overcome. However, we've seen some recent collective agreements negotiated in this province that we believe fully do recognize and respect the contribution that those workers make,' Smith said. Article content 'Like every Albertan — every worker in this province — they were absolutely devastated by the high inflation of the past few years, and now they're trying to play catch up. And as a union, it's our role and responsibility to our dues-paying members to support them in doing that.'
Toronto Star
13-05-2025
- Business
- Toronto Star
Thousands of Alberta civil servants vote to strike to back demands, says union
EDMONTON - The union representing thousands of Alberta government workers has voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action. Guy Smith, president of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, said members have voted 90 per cent in favour of hitting the picket lines. Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Smith said the goal remains to get a deal at the bargaining table. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'We do not want to have to use the clear strike mandate we have received, but we will, if necessary,' he said, calling it a historic strike vote. A strike date has not been set, but the strike vote is valid for four months. The union represents about 23,000 people in jobs ranging from administrative work and law enforcement to social work and Alberta Wildfire. Smith said his members are dedicated Albertans working on the front lines to 'make the government look good.' The union, which is seeking wage hikes, improved working conditions and job security, had been at the bargaining table for well over a year but reached an impasse with the Alberta government, Smith said. He accused them of trying to divide his membership. 'We believe our position is fair,' Smith said. 'Obviously, we're willing to negotiate. We want to negotiate. We believe a deal is achievable.' Alberta Finance Minister Nate Horner did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Horner has said the province had applied for a lockout vote should union members vote in favour of a strike, but would not say if it would be used. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 13, 2025.
Globe and Mail
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Alberta faces back-to-back negotiations with two of the province's largest unions
Thousands of public sector employees in Alberta are voting on whether they should go on strike, after negotiations with the provincial government over pay increases stalled last month. The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE), which represents around 23,500 public sector workers who are directly employed by the government of Alberta in correctional facilities, health care and other agencies, started voting Thursday on whether its members should walk off the job. The strike vote will continue until Monday and results are expected on May 14. 'By voting 'yes' to strike, you send a strong, unmistakable signal that AUPE workers demand to be treated fairly and with respect,' an AUPE statement said on Wednesday. The union rejected the latest offer from the province two weeks ago, saying the 11.5-per-cent pay increase, which would be unevenly distributed across the union's different sectors over a period of four years, is not enough to regain the purchasing power its members have lost to inflation over the last six years. AUPE is asking for a 24-per-cent increase over four years. In an e-mail to The Globe and Mail, AUPE president Guy Smith said many of its members are struggling to make ends meet and that the union won't settle for less than what its members deserve. 'Workers in this province and across the country are daring to dream right now, and that means fighting for not just the status quo, but for a better standard of living and quality public services for Albertans,' he said. Meanwhile, the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA), which represents 51,000 members working in public, Catholic and Francophone schools, rejected a mediator-recommended agreement this week that would see them receive a 15-per-cent pay increase over four years. The ATA may also soon vote to strike pending any last-minute resolution. IATA president Jason Schilling told The Globe teachers went years without wage increases to then only get modest hikes from 2020-2024. 'Teachers are looking for salary increases that reflect lost purchasing power along with addressing inflation moving forward,' he said in an e-mail. Mr. Schilling added the offer didn't go far enough to address concerns about overcrowding in classes. The negotiations with the two unions come under the shadow of Alberta's most recent budget, which projected a $5.2-billion deficit. The province has applied for a lockout to take effect if members vote in favour of a strike. If that were to happen, AUPE employees will be forced not to work during a lockout. The negotiations with two of Alberta's largest unions comes not long after a weeks-long strike by school support workers was resolved and after Alberta nurses also reached a new deal with the province. The back-to-back negotiations are a novelty, and unlike anything the province has dealt with previously, says Alvin Finkel, an Alberta labour historian. 'At one time, all of these groups were quite well paid.' he said. 'You don't have to go very far back to find that we had the highest paid teachers in the country. We had the highest paid nurses.' Now, Mr. Finkel said, the unions are becoming more combative as the United Conservative government becomes more hostile towards labour movements. Moshe Lander, a senior economics lecturer at Concordia University in Montreal, who is also an Alberta resident and taxpayer, said inflation has been mostly stable for the last three decades, giving unions fewer gripes in terms of pay. But rapid inflation in recent years and high cost of living are leading to more strikes from labour unions. From WestJet pilots to Canada Post, such actions are becoming commonplace across the country. Mr. Lander said Alberta's unions are no different, and will 'use the playbook' of firm demands and strike action that's been effective for other workers over these past two years. Mr. Lander pointed out that public sector workers such as teachers and the AUPE have some leverage. But the province's tough budget leaves them with two choices – negotiate to an appropriate deal, or let the union absorb the consequences of their budgeting process. In an e-mail to the Globe, Justin Brattinga, press secretary for Alberta's Ministry of Finance, said negotiations are backed by market data and offers have been fair. 'We will continue to make offers informed by data, not rhetoric,' he said. Still, Mr. Lander questioned whether some of the labour unions are bargaining for more than what the province should give. If what's being asked for is above cost-of-living adjustment, Mr. Lander said it needs to be backed by improvements in productivity. 'If you can justify your wage increase over and above inflation with a productivity gain, then it's justified, and there should be no problem with a handshake deal in seconds,' he said.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
A portion of Lincoln Memorial Drive will be closed May 6 for the removal of the abandoned boat
A stretch of lakefront roadway will be closed on May 6, as the city takes another stab at removing the abandoned boat "Deep Thought" from Lake Michigan. The boat has been stuck on the shoreline since October after its Mississippi-based owners ran out of gas while operating it. In late April, "Deep Thought" was joined by a salvage crew's pontoon boat that also washed up on the shore in need of rescue. Here's which road closures to plan for Tuesday and how the latest boat removal attempt will work. North Lincoln Memorial Drive will be closed in both directions between Lafayette Hill Road and East Water Tower Road to "ensure public safety and accommodate heavy equipment," according to Milwaukee County Parks. No traffic or parking will be allowed along the road. At both intersections, there will be marked detours to redirect traffic westbound. The impacted area of Lincoln Memorial Drive will be closed to parking starting the evening of Monday, May 6. Parked vehicles during that time may be towed. Traffic will be closed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6. Three cranes will be set up on land to lift the boat from the water, according to Milwaukee County Parks. There will also be security perimeter around the removal, which will be executed by All City Towing. "Removing a large boat from the shoreline isn't something we do every day, so it takes careful planning and coordination,' Guy Smith, executive director of Milwaukee County Parks, said in a news release. 'We're grateful for the community's patience as we work to clear the site and restore this stretch of the lakefront.' This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Lincoln Memorial Drive to close May 6 for abandoned boat removal
