The Town of Coaldale has applied for the power to lock its employees out after contract talks continue to be unsuccessful. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Town of Coaldale applies for power to lock employees out

Aug 29, 2025 | 1:14 PM

Discussions between a southern Alberta municipality and its union continue to sour.

The Town of Coaldale has applied to the Alberta Labour Relations Board for a single-employer lockout vote.

That is essentially the same as a union’s strike vote, and is the final legal step required before the Town can serve a lockout notice to its unionized employees.

If the Town is successful in its application, it would be able to lawfully withhold work from unionized workers once mandatory mediation and a cooling-off period of 14 days have ended.

That means that the municipality would be in a position to serve a formal lockout notice as early as Tuesday, Sept. 2.

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CAO Kalen Hastings says this decision came after nearly one year of bargaining with the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE).

He explains that AUPE has rejected the Town’s latest and final comprehensive offer, is making “unreasonable” demands, and has applied to hold a strike vote.

Hastings says there is a widening gap between AUPE’s expectations and the economic realities borne by those who work in the private sector.

“It is clear that AUPE and its members are unwilling to moderate their demands,” says Hastings. “Their decision to pursue a strike vote only confirms this. The lockout poll ensures we are on solid legal ground to take the next step. More importantly, it puts taxpayers on notice that the Town is prepared to draw a line and protect the long-term financial health of our community.”

The Town of Coaldale’s final offer made what Hastings describes as “a few modest rollbacks,” but would increase pay by 17 per cent over four years, as well as the following provisions:

• 12 paid sick days
• 12 paid statutory holidays
• Four weeks of paid vacation after two years of service
• One paid personal day off / year
• A $1,000 annual health spending account
• 100% employer-funded health and dental benefits
• Participation in the LAPP pension plan
• Standby pay of $60 (weekday), $90 (weekend), and $125 (statutory holiday)
• 2.5X the normal hourly rate for working on a statutory holiday
• A $3 / hour shift differential for working evenings and weekends
• A $250 per year winter boot allowance
• A $250 per year safety boot allowance
• Five paid days of parental leave after the birth or adoption of a child

Major Jack Van Rijn says this is not where he, nor anyone else at the Town of Coaldale, wanted contract talks to go.

LNN has reached out to AUPE for comments.