ST. PAUL – Members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) gathered in front of the St. Paul Courthouse on July 26 as part of a province-wide series of rallies, known as Time for Action, that have been taking place.
AUPE aims for “fair treatment” of workers, which involves better contract negotiations between the Government of Alberta and its employees, said James Gault, AUPE vice-president for the North-East region.
Gault said the union is dissatisfied with the government's treatment of public service workers.
“The government is giving a lot of disrespect to many employees,” Gault said. “There's no work-life balance in their jobs anymore,” and workers are being pressured to take on extra hours without overtime, he adds.
The provincial government’s offer of 7.5 per cent wage increase over four years fails to keep pace with rising costs, said Gault. “They can't afford to live... eat,” and many employees also have to pay for parking where they work, he added.
“It’s just disrespectful for an employer to treat their employees that way.”
AUPE represents approximately 100,000 public service workers across various service sectors like healthcare, policing, and education.
“If the government does not want to come to the table... sit down and have a proper discussion,” union leadership may seek to establish essential service agreements, which could lead to members having the right to withdraw their services, if they choose.
“We need to stand firm.”
Gault also criticized what he said was the provincial government's centralized control over wage negotiations, which began with what he described as “secret mandates” in 2019. He explained these mandates allow the government to dictate to employers the terms they can offer during negotiations.
This has limited the union’s ability to negotiate better terms for its members, he said.
If Alberta Health Services (AHS), for example, is the employer in a scenario, Gault said that employees would be, in fact, negotiating with the Government of Alberta, instead of AHS. Because it would be the provincial government dictating what AHS can offer at the bargaining table.
Gault said AUPE will continue to push for fair treatment and better working conditions for its members.
MLA responds
Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul MLA Scott Cyr says he fully supports frontline workers and recognizes their "invaluable contributions."
The MLA says he agrees that workers deserve a fair wage increase, "but it must be balanced with the fiscal responsibilities we owe to the taxpayers of Alberta."
Speaking with Lakeland This Week, he said, "It is important to clarify that AUPE's request for a 26 to 35 per cent increase over three years for all government service workers is significantly higher than the projected annual inflation rates. According to the Government of Canada’s Economic and Fiscal Projections, we are looking at an annual GDP inflation rate of approximately 2.1 per cent for the next three years."
Cyr said AUPE's "demand is not aligned with current economic realities and would place an undue burden on Alberta taxpayers who ultimately bear the cost."
While Cyr says he may not have any authority to negotiate, he is open to speaking with locals about concerns and ideas.
