AUPE applies for mediation in negotiations with Living Waters school board
WHITECOURT – The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees has applied for the assistance of a provincially appointed mediator to help resolve an impasse with the Living Waters Catholic Regional School District No. 42.
Collective bargaining that began in August has not resolved significant differences between AUPE Local 071/012 and the employer on a number of important monetary and non-monetary issues, said union Staff Negotiator John Wevers.
The local represents approximately 100 non-teaching employees of the school district, which has its head office in the town of Whitecourt, 175 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.
The union and employer are very far apart on monetary issues, including rates of pay, leave, severance benefits, retirement benefits, health benefits and allowances, as well as on numerous non-monetary issues including workplace health and safety, Workers Compensation and respect in the workplace, Wevers said.
“We have advised the employer that we are at an impasse on many significant issues and that the assistance of a third party is the only way to resolve this dispute,” he said. The union applied for mediation on Friday, Sept. 19.
Living Waters employees represented by AUPE work as teaching assistants, library clerks, administrative assistants, custodians and clerical workers at seven schools in Edson, Whitecourt, and Slave Lake.
For more information, contact:
John Wevers, Union Representative, 780-930-3349 or 780-232-9820 (cellular phone)
David Climenhaga, Communications Director, AUPE, 780-930-3311 or 780-717-2943 (cellular phone)