Latest news with #AlbertaUnionofProvincialEmployees
Global News
23-05-2025
- Business
- Global News
Alberta finance minister accuses AUPE of being ‘unrealistic' in negotiations
Alberta's finance minister says a lack of progress in negotiations with the union representing government workers could result in a strike or lockout. The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees has said members, who work in jobs ranging from administrative to wildfire work, have voted in favour of strike action. A statement from Finance Minister Nate Horner says the union has not been forthright with its members and is being unreasonable in its demands. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy He says if union leaders continue to be 'unrealistic,' the situation could escalate to a strike by workers or a government-initiated lockout. The union has said it's seeking wage hikes, improved working conditions and job security, and it reached an impasse with the government after more than a year of bargaining. Union leaders have said the government was prepared to table a 'revised proposal' when both sides return to the bargaining table June 2. Story continues below advertisement
Edmonton Journal
23-05-2025
- Business
- Edmonton Journal
Alberta government warns work stoppage coming without AUPE negotiation progress
The union disputes the government's characterization of events, saying the parties will return to the table on June 2 for more negotiations Members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) rallied on Monday, July 22, 2024 in Edmonton. Greg Southam-Postmedia The Alberta government is warning a continued lack of progress in negotiation with the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) could result in either a strike by workers or a government-led lockout. In a news release Friday, the province accused the union of demanding too much and misleading members. 'Union leadership has not been forthright with its members and sold the idea that a successful strike vote would provide more leverage at the bargaining table,' it reads. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors 'If AUPE leadership continues to be unreasonable and unrealistic, the situation could escalate to a strike by government workers or a government-initiated lockout. Neither option is desirable.' The statement says the union is seeking a 29 per cent wage increase over four years, a figure disputed by AUPE president Guy Smith. 'It's really unfortunate that the minister feels the need to go public with the state of our bargaining and not only that include misinformation and be disingenuous,' he said, adding the union's most recent offer was a 24 per cent wage increase over four years, a figure he compared to the roughly 20 per cent raise over the same time frame nurses agreed to last month. Smith also challenged the government's assertion that AUPE had walked away from the bargaining table and asked the mediator to withdraw, stating the parties are scheduled to resume bargaining on June 2 and that the mediator has remained in contact with both sides. Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'What you're seeing, not just in Alberta but practically around the world, is that unionized workers are actually standing up to regain some of what was lost during the high inflation years.' AUPE has nearly 100,000 members. Earlier this month, approximately 23,000 of those members who are directly employed by the province voted 90 per cent in favour of strike action, with 80 per cent turnout. About a quarter of those workers are deemed to be providing essential services and are exempted from taking strike action, including correctional officers and sheriffs. 'The reason we took a strike vote was to give us that leverage, because if necessary, and we're really hoping it's not necessary, but if it is necessary, our members are prepared to strike and we're prepared to support them,' Smith said, adding he remains optimistic an agreement can be reached. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'There will be a deal at the end of the day.' Finance Minister Nate Horner has agreed to speak to Postmedia Friday afternoon. Read More — with files from Jackie Carmichael mblack@ Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don't miss the news you need to know — add and to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here. You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton Sun. Politics News Cult of Hockey Crime Letters
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.
Global News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Union says thousands of Alberta civil servants have voted to strike to back demands
See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook The union representing thousands of Alberta government workers has voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action. The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees says members have voted 90 per cent in favour of hitting the picket lines, but says the goal remains to get a deal at the bargaining table. A strike date has not been set, but could happen in the next four months. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The union represents roughly 23,000 people working in jobs ranging from law enforcement to social work. The union says it's seeking wage hikes, improved working conditions and job security. Alberta's finance minister did not immediately respond to a request for comment. More to come…
