Alberta public sector workers vote in favour of strike action following failed negotiations

Wallis Snowdon · CBC News

· Posted: May 13, 2025 1:41 PM EDT | Last Updated: 8 minutes ago

Thousands of workers employed by the Alberta authorities person voted successful favour of a strike, aft labour negotiations reached a standstill past month.

In a connection Tuesday, the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, which represents much than 23,000 provincial employees, delivered a 90.1 per cent onslaught mandate.

Of the 8 national locals participating successful the vote, 80 per cent of eligible employees formed a ballot, the AUPE said.

Results person been provided to the Alberta Labour Relations Board for ceremonial confirmation and verification, the national said.

"This mandate underscores the urgent request for just wages, improved moving conditions, and genuine occupation information for the future," the national said successful a connection Tuesday. 

"Historically, beardown onslaught mandates are a almighty instrumentality to bring astir employers backmost to the bargaining table." 

Members participated successful the ballot from Thursday to Monday, including workers crossed a wide scope of authorities services, including health, instrumentality enforcement and societal services. 

AUPE members include a wide scope of nationalist assemblage employees specified as corrections officers, infirmary staff, societal workers and parks employees.

CBC News has reached retired to the Alberta authorities for comment. 

A 'good deal'

Despite the results, a onslaught is not a certainty. 

The onslaught ballot is valid for 120 days but the national said it's bargaining committee is focused connected reaching a "good deal" done continued negotiations.

Within the 120-day window, workers tin locomotion disconnected the occupation with 72-hours notice. 

Wages person been astatine the centre of the labour dispute.

According to the union, it asked for wage increases of 24 per cent implicit 4 years, portion the state offered 11.5 per cent. 

On April 16, the national told members negotiations had reached an impasse and that it was preparing to clasp a onslaught ballot pursuing a ceremonial cooling disconnected play if mediation efforts failed to scope a deal. 

The national says it continues to propulsion for wages that bespeak "real inflation and just compensation for its members."

The Alberta government, meanwhile, has since applied for lockout, a measurement employers tin usage to use unit to negotiations. 

AUPE officials, including national president Guy Smith, are expected to supply much details connected the results of the onslaught ballot and adjacent steps for negotiations during a quality league Tuesday afternoon.