File photo of an AUPE rally in downtown Lethbridge on March 2, 2023. The AUPE will hold town halls across the province through the month of June, 2024. (Photo: LNN)

By Justin Goulet

UNIONS

AUPE hosting ‘Time for Action’ town hall in Medicine Hat during Alberta tour

May 28, 2024 | 10:46 AM

The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees has scheduled town halls across Alberta — including in Medicine Hat — for June.

The meetings come as negotiations with the Alberta government, Alberta Health Services and several more employers “reach a critical stage”, according to the AUPE.

The Time for Action town halls will bring AUPE members together for an update on negotiations and talks about how members will speak at the bargaining table.

“Negotiations at many bargaining tables are reaching a critical stage,” AUPE president Guy Smith said.

“It is time for AUPE members to prepare for action. We must be ready to support each other in our collective struggles for better wages, job security, and working conditions.”

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This year, 82,000 AUPE members entered collective bargaining. Members have proposed increases to wages, benefits and working conditions that reflect the work they do and keep up with the rising cost of living.

The AUPE alleges that most employers are offering “unacceptable contracts with minimal wage-adjustments and almost no improvements to working conditions”.

The AUPE cites concerns regarding employers like Alberta Health Services, Covenant Health, the University of Calgary and other post-secondary institutions, which take bargaining queues from provincial government proposals.

“AUPE members not only provide vital service to Albertans, but a significant number of southern Albertans are AUPE members themselves,” says AUPE Vice-President Curtis Jackson, who represents members in the south region.

“We will fight for the collective agreements that hardworking, everyday Albertans deserve and ensure they have the support they need to give their very best for their family, friends, and neighbours.”

Town halls in the south region will be held on the following days:

• June 4: Bow Island
• June 5: Brooks
• June 6: Canmore
• June 10: Medicine Hat
• June 11: Oyen
• June 17: Lethbridge
• June 18: Pincher Creek
• June 19: Claresholm
• June 20: Taber
• June 25: Cardston
• June 27: Blairmore

Further details, including the time and location of each event, came be found at AUPE website.