The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE), representing 16,000 hospital workers in Alberta, has resumed negotiations with Alberta Health Services (AHS) before a looming strike deadline this weekend. Despite the strike notice served by AUPE to AHS on Wednesday, workers are prepared to strike if a satisfactory agreement is not reached at the bargaining table. AUPE emphasized in a recent news release that they are open to negotiation but will not settle for an offer that fails to meet their requirements.
Following unsuccessful mediation attempts and a lack of mediator recommendations, AUPE officially served strike notice on Wednesday morning. AUPE President Sandra Azocar expressed disappointment with the employer’s proposals after nearly 20 months of bargaining. Elective surgeries could face cancellations as workers prepare to strike this Saturday, with specific details yet to be confirmed by AUPE or AHS.
AHS assured that contingency plans are in place to mitigate the impact of the potential strike on essential services. The strike notice follows a resounding vote by AUPE members in favor of strike action, indicating dissatisfaction with the current wage discrepancies for LPNs and health-care aides. The union is pushing for wage adjustments to bridge the existing gaps and address recruitment and retention challenges in the healthcare sector.
Despite the government’s assertion of offering a competitive deal aligned with public sector norms, AUPE stands firm in their pursuit of a fair agreement. AUPE remains optimistic about reaching a resolution but maintains their commitment to advocating for the rights and needs of their members.