Saturday morning, the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE)—the union representing Alberta’s health-care workers—reached a tentative agreement with the provincial government, narrowly avoiding strike action with only literally a minute to spare.
Close to 16,000 licensed practical nurses, health care aides and other employees were in a position to hit the picket lines.
At a press conference announcing the tentative agreement, AUPE President Sandra Azocar said the deal “may not include 100% of what we asked for, but it sets a new standard in health care and, more broadly, in the labour movement.”
Azocar added that the agreement “addresses the priorities that matter most to our members and provides a foundation we can continue to build on.”
Key issues during negotiations included short-staffing and wages.
The proposed contract includes a 12% wage increase over four years, along with market adjustments and retroactive compensation.
The tentative deal will now be put to a ratification vote by health care workers.
Keith Hopper, Trending 55
