Latest news with #AUPE
Global News
3 days ago
- Business
- Global News
AUPE, province agree to renewed mediation in last attempt at deal
Alberta and the union representing thousands of provincial government employees say they have agreed to a new round of mediated bargaining. Guy Smith, the president of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, said the renewed talks are considered the final opportunity for getting a new deal for some 23,000 government workers after 18 months of bargaining. Smith credits Finance Minister Nate Horner for stepping in to restart talks with the AUPE and recognizing the importance of continuing negotiations. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The union and the government have agreed not to disclose their bargaining positions publicly but Smith says the outstanding issues are pay and working conditions. In May, the union voted 90 per cent in favour of striking, and the strike vote will remain valid until mid-September. Smith says if the new round of talks goes well and ends with an agreement or settlement proposal, a vote of union members would take place in early September. Story continues below advertisement 'Our goal is clear and supported by our members: a fair agreement that addresses the real concerns of the front-line workers who carry this province on their shoulders every day,' Smith said. 'We are prepared to work around the clock to get there.'
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Alberta, workers' union to enter enhanced mediation
Edmonton Watch The provincial government and the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees will enter an enhanced mediation process for contract negotiations.
CTV News
25-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
‘It's just one more pressure': Red Deer hospital workers fed up with parking issues
The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) says Red Deer hospital workers have had enough with parking issues after receiving relentless tickets over the years. 'We're seeing parking issues just overwhelming staff,' said Darren Graham, an AUPE vice president. Many hospital staff are forced to park in non-designated parking stalls where they have to pay, said Graham. Because staff are often asked to extend their workday and sometimes don't get breaks, they don't have the ability to move their vehicles or feed the meter while on shift. But Alberta Health Services (AHS) says workers don't lose parking privileges if they work overtime. 'If an employee is required to work overtime and needs parking privileges during that time, they don't incur additional parking fees either,' said a statement from the health authority. If workers get enough tickets, they can get their parking privileges revoked so they can't use the parkade at all. Graham said there is a waitlist for hospital staff at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre parking but it would take 10 to 12 years to get a spot. 'It's just one more pressure,' said Graham. 'We're already seeing issues with staff compensation and being overworked.' Hospital workers are still waiting for a collective agreement and are making wages that were set years ago, said Graham, making tickets another financial burden for staff to deal with. 'When you get a $50 ticket, that can be the make-or-break.' The hospital is also under construction as it undergoes a $1.8 billion redevelopment. Red Deer Regional Hospital design drawing A preliminary design showing the aerial view of the the south courtyard of the Red Deer Regional Hospital redesign, released by the Alberta government March 15, 2024. (Source: The Government of Alberta) AHS said it has to protect access for patients, families and visitors. 'When public parking stalls are used for extended periods by staff or others, it can reduce availability for those coming to a hospital for care,' said AHS. There are designated staff parking areas and short-term parking stalls for patients and visitors at all AHS facilities. Staff are to register their vehicle for parking privileges in designated staff parking spots. If workers are unable to register because the spots are full, they're on their own. The health authority said citations may be issued when staff park in patient-designated zones, use accessible stalls without a placard or fail to register their vehicle properly—even if they pay for parking. Citations are handled by AHS Parking Services, which is self-funded and operates independently of the health care budget.
CBC
24-06-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Why there's an ‘unprecedented level of frustration' amongst Alberta's public sector workers
Some of the biggest public sector unions in the province have voted in favour of taking strike action. From Alberta's teachers to members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, they all have one major issue in common.
Edmonton Journal
23-05-2025
- Business
- Edmonton Journal
Alberta government warns work stoppage coming without AUPE negotiation progress
The union disputes the government's characterization of events, saying the parties will return to the table on June 2 for more negotiations Members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) rallied on Monday, July 22, 2024 in Edmonton. Greg Southam-Postmedia The Alberta government is warning a continued lack of progress in negotiation with the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) could result in either a strike by workers or a government-led lockout. In a news release Friday, the province accused the union of demanding too much and misleading members. 'Union leadership has not been forthright with its members and sold the idea that a successful strike vote would provide more leverage at the bargaining table,' it reads. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors 'If AUPE leadership continues to be unreasonable and unrealistic, the situation could escalate to a strike by government workers or a government-initiated lockout. Neither option is desirable.' The statement says the union is seeking a 29 per cent wage increase over four years, a figure disputed by AUPE president Guy Smith. 'It's really unfortunate that the minister feels the need to go public with the state of our bargaining and not only that include misinformation and be disingenuous,' he said, adding the union's most recent offer was a 24 per cent wage increase over four years, a figure he compared to the roughly 20 per cent raise over the same time frame nurses agreed to last month. Smith also challenged the government's assertion that AUPE had walked away from the bargaining table and asked the mediator to withdraw, stating the parties are scheduled to resume bargaining on June 2 and that the mediator has remained in contact with both sides. Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'What you're seeing, not just in Alberta but practically around the world, is that unionized workers are actually standing up to regain some of what was lost during the high inflation years.' AUPE has nearly 100,000 members. Earlier this month, approximately 23,000 of those members who are directly employed by the province voted 90 per cent in favour of strike action, with 80 per cent turnout. About a quarter of those workers are deemed to be providing essential services and are exempted from taking strike action, including correctional officers and sheriffs. 'The reason we took a strike vote was to give us that leverage, because if necessary, and we're really hoping it's not necessary, but if it is necessary, our members are prepared to strike and we're prepared to support them,' Smith said, adding he remains optimistic an agreement can be reached. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'There will be a deal at the end of the day.' Finance Minister Nate Horner has agreed to speak to Postmedia Friday afternoon. Read More — with files from Jackie Carmichael mblack@ Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don't miss the news you need to know — add and to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here. You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton Sun. Politics News Cult of Hockey Crime Letters
