Public sector union ratifies collective agreement with Alberta government

Members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees have ratified a new collective agreement with the province.

The public sector union, which represents about 22,000 direct government workers, says in a news release that about 46 per cent of those eligible to vote cast ballots and, of those, 91 per cent voted in favour of the deal.

“This round of bargaining has been the most challenging we have faced for many years,” says AUPE president Guy Smith in a release.

“While these negotiations proceeded, our members have worked through a deadly global pandemic while continuing to provide vital services to Albertans. We appreciate the determination our members displayed to support each other and their negotiating team. They stood strongly opposed to the proposed employer concessions and to secure a collective agreement that respects them and the services they provide.”

Details of the agreement include:

• Employment Security for permanent staff will stay in effect until Dec. 31, 2022;
• 1.25 per cent salary increase effective Jan. 1, 2023;
• Minimum 1.5 per cent salary increase with potential for additional 0.5 per cent increase based on economic factors effective Sept. 1, 2023; and
• 8 per cent salary increase for employees performing duties as part of the Rural Alberta Provincial Integrated Defence (RAPID) Response force as a result of significant expansion of policing duties, responsibilities and risks. The 8 per cent increase will be retroactive to Apr. 1, 2021, and remain in place as long as RAPID exists.

The agreement is set to expire on Mar. 31, 2024.

Treasury Board President and Finance Minister Travis Toews says in a release that he’s pleased members voted to accept the mediator’s recommendation.

Toews says the government’s goal was to bring spending in line with other provinces and the deal accomplishes that.

He notes the agreement also recognizes the province’s long-term economic outlook and has pay increases in the third and fourth year of the contract.