Alberta government warns work stoppage coming without AUPE negotiation progress

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.

Article content

“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.

Article content

Article content

“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.

Article content

“There will be a deal at the end of the day.”

Finance Minister Nate Horner has agreed to speak to Postmedia Friday afternoon.

— with files from Jackie Carmichael

mblack@postmedia.com

Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don’t miss the news you need to know — add EdmontonJournal.com and EdmontonSun.com 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.

Article content