By the Canadian Press

Arbitrator awards raise to some AUPE members

Feb 1, 2020 | 10:55 AM

The province’s largest public sector union says an independent arbitrator has awarded some of its members a raise instead of rollbacks requested by the government.

The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees says government workers will receive a one per cent wage raise for 2019, as will members employed by Alberta Health Services in general support services.

However, the arbitrator ruled that auxiliary nursing care members will not get an increase.

Union president Guy Smith says the arbitrator rejected the government’s claim that Alberta’s public-sector workers are overpaid.

Finance Minister and Grande Prairie-Wapiti MLA Travis Toews says the arbitration ruling will cost 35 million dollars and will further challenge the government as it works to cut spending.

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Toews says the government will have to look at other cost savings, including adjustments to workforce levels.

Smith says the union will now focus on a new round of bargaining with the province.

In November, the government sent a letter to the union saying jobs are guaranteed until the end of March, but beginning April 1st the government will use all options available to meet its priorities.