Alberta public sector workers vote in favour of strike action following failed negotiations

Thousands of workers employed by the Alberta government have voted in favour of a strike, after labour negotiations reached a standstill last month.

In a statement Tuesday, the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, which represents more than nearly 24,000 provincial employees, said its members delivered a 90.1 per cent strike mandate.

More than 22,000 workers, or 80 per cent of eligible employees involved in current negotiations, cast a ballot

Results have been provided to the Alberta Labour Relations Board for formal confirmation and verification, the AUPE said.

Union president Guy Smith, who held a news conference Tuesday with members of the negotiating team, described the vote as historic. Due to recent changes in provincial labour laws giving Alberta public sector workers a legal right to strike, the escalating labour dispute could be the first of its kind in the province if picket lines form.  

Smith is hopeful that the results of the vote will instead compel the province to return to the bargaining table. 

"Ultimately, it is our goal — and it is always our goal — to get a deal at the table," Smith said. 

"We do not want to use the clear strike mandate but we will if necessary. And our members can take confidence in knowing that we are fully ready and prepared to support them in the event of  a strike." 

Smith said the union has no intention of immediately calling a strike. He said members remain hopeful talks with the province will resume. 

"We now have the full backing and support of our members and we call on the government to come back to the table to negotiate a successful conclusion."

Smith said the members involved in possible labour action are critical to the daily operation of the province and a strike would be widely felt by Albertans.

All but the most critical services provided by AUPE members would be interrupted, Smith said.

Members who participated in the vote from Thursday to Monday, include workers across a wide range of government services, including health, law enforcement and social services. 

AUPE members include a broad range of public sector employees such as wildland firefighters, corrections officers, sheriffs and parole officers, hospital staff, social workers, administrative staff and government inspectors.

Despite the results, a strike is not a certainty. 

The strike vote is valid for four months. Within the 120-day window, workers can walk off the job with 72-hours notice. 

A 'big gap'

The Alberta government, meanwhile, has since applied for a lockout, a measure employers can use to apply pressure to negotiations. 

Minister of Finance Nate Horner described the strike vote as "unfortunate" and "somewhat predictable." 

Horner told reporters Tuesday that he has secured a lockout permit. He said Alberta would consider moving toward a lockout but no decision has been made.

"They' ve said they want to come back to the table," he said. "We'll take them at their word."

He said there is a "big gap" between the two parties at the bargaining table, but he would like to see talks resume. 

"If they're serious about coming back to the table, we'll be there." 

Horner said about 6,000 of the union workers would be deemed essential and kept from the picket lines but it's still "early days" for the labour dispute.

"No one wants to see this kind of disruption, but we have contingency plans in place." 

Horner said he has no intention of letting the threat of a strike remains in play throughout the four-month period where the vote results will remain valid.

The government is instead focused on getting workers a "fair deal" on wages that is based on what the market demands, Horner said. 

"A strike or a lockout won't change the market data," he said.

Wages have been at the centre of the labour dispute.

According to the union, it asked for wage increases of 24 per cent over four years, while the province offered 11.5 per cent. 

On April 16, the union told members negotiations had reached an impasse and that it was preparing to hold a strike vote following a formal cooling off period if mediation efforts failed to reach a deal. 

Smith said the latest offer wasn't anywhere what the union considered as acceptable, he said.

He said the union will continue to push for wages that reflect "real inflation and fair compensation for its members."

Smith said inflation has been devastating to members and whatever deal is made must catch up to those increasing costs and treat members within each branch of the union equitably.

He accused the province of trying to divide union membership. 

Smith said what the AUPE is calling for is fair and they remain hopeful a deal is possible.

"We believe our position is fair, we are willing negotiate," he said. "We believe a deal is achievable."

NDP jobs critic Peggy Wright said a strike means government services would suffer.

She said workers are doing their best to make ends meet, and the United Conservative Party government should get back to the bargaining table.

"Workers are deserving of respect. They're deserving of fair wages," she said.

"When you consider the inflation that we've had over the last number of years ... I don't understand why the government wouldn't be willing to sit down and bargain fairly with them."