The new deal provides for a 12% general wage increase over 4 years, down from an average 17% increase that was rejected by union staff in August.
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The Town of Coaldale and the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE)mhave reached a new 4-year collective agreement (effective January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2028).
The new agreement was approved by a majority of the Town’s unionized employees on Monday, November 10th, and comes after 14 months of prolonged negotiations, including 10 days of in-person bargaining, two intensive days of formal mediation, a union strike mandate, and a 67-day lock-out that was initiated after the parties had come to an impasse.
Under the new collective agreement, unionized staff will receive:
a 12% general wage increase over 4 years effective, beginning the date of ratification (i.e. no retro pay);
75% employer-funded health and dental benefits;
overtime and call out rates standardized at time-and-a-half (1.5X); and
paid coffee breaks at mid-day to ensure uninterrupted productivity during the morning and afternoon hours.
The agreement will also:
discontinue participation in the Town’s Joint-Employer (1%)/ Employee (0.75%) Group RRSP
maintain sick leave at 12 days per year but eliminate the partial payout for unused sick time; and
see AUPE withdraw all of its unfair labour practice complaints against the Town.
“When our Council made the difficult but necessary decision to lock-out unionized staff, we did so to stand up for the private sector—the silent stakeholder that ultimately foots the bill for municipal salaries, wages, and benefits,” said Town of Coaldale Mayor, Jack Van Rijn. “This deal reflects our commitment to achieving that objective and to closing what our Council saw as a widening disconnect between public-sector compensation expectations and private sector wage trends.”
“After more than a year of negotiations with AUPE, we’re ready to move forward constructively under this new agreement, which we believe strikes the right balance between providing fair compensation for our employees and respecting Coaldale taxpayers.”
All 24-remaining locked-out Town employees will return to work on Monday, November 17th, joining 18 others who have already resumed their duties.