Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News

By Eli J. Ridder

Public Sector

Alberta finance minister warns of public sector strike ahead of renewed union talks

May 23, 2025 | 11:28 AM

Alberta’s finance minister is warning there could be a labour disruption as negotiations are set to resume with the union representing thousands of government workers across the province.

Nate Horner, who also serves as the president of the Treasury Board, said Friday a 29 per cent wage increase over four years requested by the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees is not achievable.

“If AUPE leadership continues to be unreasonable and unrealistic, the situation could escalate to a strike by government workers or a government-initiated lockout,” Horner said.

“Neither option is desirable. I encourage AUPE leadership to come back to the table with realistic aspirations,” he added.

“Contingency planning is ongoing to support core government services in the event of a strike or a lockout.”

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Negotiations between the Alberta government and eight locals that make up AUPE’s government services section are scheduled to renew bargaining for a new collective agreement on June 2.

Workers voted 90 per cent in favour of authorizing a strike last week. A strike date has not been set, but the vote authorizing starting one is valid for four months.

“Together, your continued involvement, resilience, and the strong strike mandate you voted for last week mean that we can go back to the bargaining table with the strength of the membership supporting us,” AUPE said last week.

AUPE is seeking wage hikes, improved working conditions and job security and had been at the bargaining table for well over a year before reaching an impasse with the Alberta government.

The Alberta government is offering general wage increases of about 12 per cent over four years for all employees, the same general wage increase that nearly 60 other Alberta public sector bargaining groups have recently settled for.

Horner argued Friday the union’s demands are excessive and too expensive for taxpayers.

“If government met AUPE’s demands and then extended those increases to all other public sector employees, the cumulative increase would cost taxpayers about $23 billion over four years,” Horner said.

“That’s about the same amount of money that’s in the Heritage Savings Trust Fund, or two years of funding for kindergarten to Grade 12 education.”

NDP jobs critic Peggy Wright said last week a strike means government services would suffer.

She added workers are doing their best to make ends meet and the United Conservative Party government should get back to the bargaining table.

— With files from The Canadian Press

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