For immediate release: Friday, April 16, 2004

ST. ALBERT — Members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees who work for the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission have ratified a 2004 wage-reopener agreement under which their pay will increase by 3.5 per cent.

The mail-in ballots counted today were sent earlier this month to the St. Albert-based commission’s approximately 400 employees, members of AUPE Local 050, said AUPE Union Representative Malcolm McNaughton, who led the local’s bargaining committee.

McNaughton said that in addition to the 3.5 per cent pay increase for all AGLC employees, the agreement includes improvements in standby pay for employees designated to be available for an immediate return to work during times they are not on regular duty.

In addition, he said, employees whose wages are frozen over the normal range for their duties will receive a lump-sum payment equal to the 3.5 per cent increase.

The Local 050 bargaining committee recommended ratification of the agreement, McNaughton said.
The tentative agreement was signed March 3 in St. Albert.

AUPE members employed by the AGLC include inspectors, investigators, clerical workers and technicians.
The AGLC is an agent of the Alberta government responsible for ensuring that gaming and liquor activities are conducted honestly and openly, and that they maximize the economic benefits to the province. The commission administers the Alberta Lottery Fund and reviews and approves liquor and gaming license applications.

For more information, contact:
Dan MacLennan, President, AUPE, 780-930-3301 or 780-232-8392 (cellular phone)
Malcolm McNaughton, Union Representative, AUPE, 403-343-2154 or 403-304-8245 (cellular phone)
David Climenhaga, Communications Director, AUPE, 780-930-3311 or 780-717-2943 (cellular phone)