We need your help – get involved now to fight for a better deal
Your Government Services negotiating team has been working diligently to prepare your demands for negotiations. We intend to be well prepared for the largest round of bargaining the province has ever seen.
Here’s a recap of where we are:
- We kicked off with the Government of Alberta (GOA) bargaining conference at AUPE headquarters on Sept. 13. We received detailed reports from key AUPE departments: Negotiations, Research and Essential Services Agreements. The GOA member representatives in attendance also created the bargaining surveys, which our members received in early November.
- We had a great turnout of 35 GOA member representatives who attended the bargaining training and orientation course from Oct. 18 to 19.
- The Government Services Bargaining Committee (GSBC) held its first meeting on Nov. 16 to have a detailed discussion on the structure of negotiations and begin reviewing the bargaining-survey responses and ingoing proposals.
- Between Nov. 17 and Nov. 27, each Local negotiating team met separately with negotiator James Mitchell for introductions and to review the upcoming negotiations process and concerns.
- On Nov. 28, all GOA Local negotiating teams met, building solidarity, awareness and inclusiveness.
- During December, the Local negotiating teams met to review the surveys and Local concerns in preparation for our January proposal meeting.
- Notice to bargaining was sent from AUPE to your employer on Jan. 2, 2024.
The GSBC team met on Jan. 11, 12 and 13. We reviewed the concerns from the Locals and have started a preliminary list of demands. On a broader spectrum, we have reviewed the surveys from our members on the five key issues and we are in the process of analyzing and costing those concerns.
- The five key issues given to us by members are:
- Pay increases;
- Staffing levels/workload;
- Job security;
- Benefits; and
- Mental Health Support.
One of our main priorities is to make sure this round of negotiations is more inclusive with our committees and our members. That's why we’ll have three members from each Local negotiating team on hand for expert support at the bargaining table. A full list of these members can be found at the end of this bargaining update. *
What’s coming up:
GSBC meetings:
- Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024
- Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024
- Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024
- Friday, Feb. 9, 2024
- Monday, Feb. 12, 2024
- Friday, Feb. 16, 2024
Opening negotiations with the Government of Alberta
- Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024
- Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024
- Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024
On Jan. 16, we met with your employer to discuss logistics and to try to firm up bargaining dates in March.
We have scheduled the following dates for bargaining meetings:
- Mar. 6, 2024
- Mar. 7, 2024
- Mar. 13, 2024
- Mar. 14, 2024
- Apr. 9, 2024
- Apr. 10, 2024
- Apr. 18, 2024
- Apr. 19, 2024
As you can see, a lot has happened and there is still much more work to be done in this crucial round of bargaining.
AUPE members have been under extreme financial pressures due to high inflation, out-of-control interest rates and heavy workloads, coupled with short staffing. We know there’s a lot at stake and we’re going to fight to make some serious gains.
During this round of negotiations, we will be sending regular bargaining updates to your personal emails. Please make sure your personal information is updated here: https://www.aupe.org/update-info
Your negotiating team cannot be successful without your full support and active participation. The time to get involved is now – join the fight!
Read the GSBC bargaining update #1 here: https://www.aupe.org/news/news-and-updates/government-services-bargaining-update-1-preparation-well-underway
GOA Government Services Bargaining Committee (GSBC):
Guy Smith, GSBC Chair
Local 001
Kathleen Buss, GSBC Representative
quilterbuss@gmail.com
Local 002
Lorraine Ellis, GSBC Representative
lorraine.ellis@shaw.ca
Local 003
Dax Lydiard, GSBC Representative
003bargaining@gmail.com
Local 004
Steven Eagles, GSBC Representative
s-eagles@shaw.ca
Local 005
Jeffrey Bleach, GSBC Representative
Bargaininglocal005@aupe.org
Local 006
Rob Poggemiller, GSBC Representative
poggrobe@hotmail.com
Local 009
Russell Clark, GSBC Representative
russell.clark@shaw.ca
Local 012
Richard Hansen, GSBC Representative
chairlocal012@aupe.ca
AUPE STAFF NEGOTIATOR
James Mitchell, Negotiations
j.mitchell@aupe.org