LETHBRIDGE – Alberta Union of Provincial Employees members employed by the University of Lethbridge have overwhelmingly ratified a new collective agreement that gives them wage increases of four per cent in each of the contract’s first two years.

"We’re pleased that this agreement continues the trend of wage increases of four per cent each year being set in our union’s Education Sector throughout the province," said AUPE President Dan MacLennan.

The three-year contract includes provision for a "wage-reopener" in its third year, said AUPE Membership Services Officer Dale Perry, who negotiated the agreement. In a wage-reopener, the union renegotiates employees’ wages in a given years of a contract, but all other provisions of the agreement remain in effect.

About 380 members of AUPE Local 053 had the opportunity to vote Tuesday on the tentative agreement reached July 9 in Lethbridge.

Perry said the agreement also includes an increase in the employees’ shift and weekend differential pay, and improvements to benefits plans, bereavement leave, illness leave, severance pay and contract language on contracting out.

"The members were happy with this agreement," said Perry. "In terms of today’s economy, it’s a fair deal."

In addition to the employees of the University of Lethbridge, AUPE represents employees at 15 post-secondary educational facilities in Alberta, including Lethbridge Community College and Medicine Hat College.


For more information, contact:
Dan MacLennan, President, AUPE, 780-930-3301 or 780-910-8392 (cellular phone)
Dale Perry, Membership Services Officer, AUPE, 403-329-1210 (Lethbridge) or 403-308-4549 (cellular phone)
David Climenhaga, Communications Director, AUPE, 780-930-3311 or 780-717-2943

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