AUPE ratifies provincial deal, but Coaldale locks out workers

Members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees have ratified a new four year contract with the government. 71 percent of the 23,000 eligible members cast ballots and 63% of those voted in favour of the mediated settlement.

The deal will also see the province and union administer a new $11.4 million annual fund for recruitment and retention initiatives, with 4% increases to the fund guaranteed every year.

However, the AUPE still must contend with one negotiation that has seemed to have hit a dead end. After negotiations soured between the Town of Coaldale, Alberta and their municipal employees, the Town made the decision to issue a 72-hour lockout notice for their employees.

In response, AUPE announced shortly after, they will subsequently hit the picket lines once the lockout comes into effect on Saturday. This comes after a year-long process of attempts to negotiate a new contract.

The Town presented the union with a “final offer”, which includes a 17 percent wage increase over four years, but, also included several benefit rollbacks. The union has described the offer as “insultingly bad.”

In a statement provided yesterday, the town of Coaldale says contingency plans will be in place to keep essential operations in place.