Labour Day: Why Unions Still Matter

Do unions still matter in 2026? Do they matter now more than ever? Against the backdrop of a tough August jobs report, rising youth unemployment, and growing anxiety about the future of work in Canada, we welcome labour leaders Chris Flett, Siobhan Vipond, and Patrick Campbell (4:00) to discuss the role of organized labour in a rapidly changing economy. We tackle union-busting governments, the impact of AI on "blue collar" jobs, and tackling stigma around the trades. Feature interviews on Real Talk are presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.  THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY HANSEN DISTILLERY, WINNERS OF THREE GOLD MEDALS AT THE INAUGURAL ALBERTA WHISKY AWARDS! LEARN MORE: https://hansendistillery.com/ MBEW: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/ CHECK OUT IUOE LOCAL 955: https://joinustoday.ca/ GET YOUR "PROUDLY ALBERTAN. FIERCELY CANADIAN." HOODIES BEFORE THEY SELL OUT (AGAIN): https://ryanjespersen.com/merch 1:24:20 | Real Talkers share their thoughts on unions and Labour Day in our Live Chat powered by Park Power. Jespo reads Real Talker Shannon's email about saving integrated firefighter-paramedic service in Spruce Grove, Alberta. WATCH OUR MAY 11 ROUND TABLE ON SAVING INTEGRATED FIREFIGHTER-PARAMEDIC SERVICE IN ALBERTA: https://rtrj.info/051126APFFPA SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/ EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] 1:33:15 | Tyler calls out former MLA Ian Donovan's tone re: AI data centres, T.S. says it's time to put politicians in the penalty box, and Harry finally hits send on something he's been stewing over since July. It's The Flamethrower presented by our amazing friends at the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!  WHEN YOU SWING BY A DQ IN PALISADES, NAMAO, NEWCASTLE, WESTMOUNT, OR BASELINE ROAD, BE SURE TO LET 'EM KNOW REAL TALK SENT YOU!  REAL TALK'S LIVE STREAM IS PRESENTED BY CALIFORNIA CLOSETS. BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULTATION: https://californiaclosets.ca/ REAL TALK HIGHLIGHTS ARE PRESENTED BY KUBY ENERGY AND CANADIAN GREEN TECH, YOUR TRUSTED SOLAR PROVIDERS. LEARN MORE AT https://kuby.ca/ or in-store at Costco. SIGN UP for YEGplus, CANADA'S FIRST AIRPORT REWARDS PROGRAM: https://yegplus.com/realtalk SAVE 10% on ONLINE MEN'S CLOTHING PURCHASES at THE HELM with promo code REALTALK: https://thehelmclothing.com/ FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: patreon.com/ryanjespersen THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.