(LNN)

By LNN Staff

Municipal Politics

Coaldale town council acknowledges receipt of new proposal from AUPE

Oct 8, 2025 | 11:12 AM

Coaldale town council voted unanimously this week to acknowledge the receipt of a new proposal from the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE), as well as agree that any change to the town’s current negotiation mandate should be addressed by a newly elected council.

The vote took place during council’s regular meeting on Oct. 6, 2025.

On Oct. 2, town officials note that the AUPE issued a media release announcing to its Coaldale members that it had submitted a new proposal to the town. In response, Coaldale town council discussed the matter during its Oct. 6 meeting, and passed the following motion:

• That council acknowledges receipt of the proposal from AUPE and notes that given that we are in the midst of an election, council agrees that any alteration of the negotiation mandate is more appropriately addressed by the newly appointed council.

“We acknowledge receipt of AUPE’s latest proposal, but with advance polls opening on Thursday this week, we determined that it would be irresponsible for this council to bind the next one, as well as residents, to a multi-year collective agreement with AUPE”, said Town of Coaldale Mayor, Jack Van Rijn in a press release Tuesday night. “Since the very beginning of our term, we’ve made transparency with residents a priority. This decision reflects our commitment to that principle.”

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“Out of respect for voters,” continued Van Rijn. “We need to let the democratic process play out so a newly elected council can look at this situation with fresh eyes and get up to speed on the file.”