Government members make history with strike vote

There comes a point where you must prove that you won’t back down. You have to show that you mean business.

For AUPE members directly employed by the Government of Alberta (GOA), that moment was earlier this May, when they held our strike vote.

AUPE president Guy Smith describes it as groundbreaking and historic, the moment members showed they were ready to do what must be done to win in bargaining. With 90.1% voting in favour of striking, AUPE members proved it beyond any doubt.

“We were always confident that GOA members would show their determination and power with a strong strike vote because we’ve been talking with them for two years about how they need to be involved and engaged in their collective bargaining,” says Smith.

“Members have been very clear. They’re struggling financially after years of being battered by inflation,” he says. “These front-line workers have also been clear that they are understaffed, that Albertans are suffering because they aren’t given the resources or time to provide vital services.”

AUPE’s Government Services Bargaining Committee (GSBC) now heads back into negotiations with a clear mandate from the membership to back up their demands. Bargaining begins again on June 2, 3, 11, 12 and 13, with a mediator on hand to help.

The GOA has already indicated that it will present a new offer. 

The government has also made several public statements about bargaining, but your GSBC knows AUPE members are focused on our shared goal: Winning the best deal possible. 

“That’s only to be expected at this stage,” Smith says. “Our fight isn’t over just because we’ve now got a strong strike mandate. We need to keep pushing and to stay united until we get a deal that works for us.”

Other public-sector workers have been offered more, including the United Nurses of Alberta (UNA), who received increases averaging 20% over four years. Members of the Alberta Teachers Association recently rejected an increase of 15% over four years and overwhelmingly authorized their own strike vote.

“Government workers have faced the same inflationary pressures and staff shortages as registered nurses and teachers. We deserve raises and a collective agreement that reflects our worth to this province,” says Smith.

That should be the standard, he adds. AUPE members deserve wage increases in line with those offered to other public-sector workers, not to mention keep up with how expensive life has become.

The next move is that the GSBC will head back to the bargaining table to get what members deserve from the employer.

Regardless of what happens next in bargaining, AUPE members are ready, says Smith. “We have proven our solidarity and will put it to good use if we must.”