Union contract offers ‘insulting,’ says AUPE at Lethbridge town hall

“The whole point of the town halls is to identify the key issues that we’re seeking or asking for at the bargaining table. Those key issues are wages, working short or work load, increased supports including mental health supports, and then finally, is job security,” says Jackson.

He describes the membership as “hungry” for bigger increases to pay that keep up with the rising cost of living. He claims recent offers from employers such as the provincial government come nowhere close to this.

“The offer at the table from the employers, right now, is insulting, to be very [frank]. It doesn’t even touch inflation in one calendar year over the last four, let alone paving the way for good cost of living adjustments moving forward,” Jackson says.

AUPE’s Curtis Jackson on current contract offers.

Jackson tells LNN that attendance at their town halls has been better than expected in the south region. Nearly 200 came out to the one in Lethbridge Monday night and over 120 were a recent event in Medicine Hat.

Over the next several days, AUPE will hold town halls in Pincher Creek, Claresholm, Taber, Cardston, and Blairmore. More details, including times and locations, are on the AUPE website.

Alberta’s Finance Minister Nate Horner issued the following statement to LNN in response to the AUPE contract negotiations:

“Public services support families and our thriving communities. Alberta’s government truly values public services and the professionalism and dedication of the people who deliver them.

The union representing government employees, the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, is demanding a 26 per cent wage increase over the next three years. The AUPE claims that government employee wages have fallen behind.

“Albertans, and indeed all Canadians, have not seen a wage increase of this size. The Conference Board of Canada found most working Albertans received a salary increase between 2 and 3 per cent in 2023 and 2024.

“The Alberta government approaches bargaining and wages from an evidence-based perspective. To do this, we look at similar jobs across the country to determine fair market wages. Looking across Canada, we do not see any publicly funded employees receiving the type of settlement the AUPE is demanding.

To that end, the Government of Alberta’s in-going offer of 7.5 per cent over four years is a reasonable position that keeps the Alberta Public Service wages competitive with public sectors in other jurisdictions.

Given the union’s extreme wage positions, working towards a fair and reasonable settlement in a timely manner will be difficult. The Alberta government will not increase taxes or cut programs, services, or workers to give unprecedented salary increases that will result in pay well above market rates. Rather, we must balance our ability to invest in programs and services Albertans rely on with fair and competitive compensation for workers.”

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now

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by David Opinko

Union contract offers ‘insulting,’ says AUPE at Lethbridge town hall

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