Photo by Curtis Galbraith.

By Curtis Galbraith

Healthcare Strike

Update: Tentative agreement reached between AHS and AUPE averts strike

Nov 21, 2025 | 3:26 PM

A tentative agreement has been reached between Alberta Health Services and the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, averting the strike set to begin this Saturday, Nov. 22.

Picket lines set to take place at the Fairview Health Complex, the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital, the QE II Ambulatory Care Centre, the McLennan Health Centre, and the Valleyview Health Centre have been cancelled as a result.

You can view Minister of Finance Nate Horner’s full statement on the agreement below:

“Alberta’s government is very encouraged that Alberta Health Services (AHS) and the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) have reached a tentative agreement that will be recommended to their members. The strike has been averted.

“Both parties have worked extremely hard over the last several days to reach this outcome, and we appreciate their commitment to finding a path forward that supports stability in Alberta’s health care system.

“We respect the work of Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Health Care Aides (HCAs), and they deserve a fair agreement. The settlement reflects strong wage offers for LPNs and HCAs to ensure Alberta’s pay remains competitive across Canada.

“We look forward to AUPE members having the opportunity to review and vote on the agreement. Member ratification is an important step in the bargaining process.

“Alberta’s government remains focused on supporting a stable, modern and stronger health care system for all Albertans. We appreciate the collaborative efforts of both AHS and AUPE in reaching this agreement.”

-With Files from the Government of Alberta

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The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees says there will be picket lines set up at several Alberta hospitals on Saturday and Sunday.

Close to 16,000 licensed practical nurses, health care aides and other employees will be in a position to strike as of 8:30 a.m. on Saturday.

The AUPE says on its website, there will be picket lines at the Fairview Health Complex, the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital, the QE II Ambulatory Care Centre, the McLennan Health Centre, and the Valleyview Health Centre from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

There will also be picket lines set up in Whitecourt and Hinton.

The Canadian Press says that the union and Alberta Health Services are still negotiating.

The main sticking point is wages.

The full list of picket line locations can be found here.

-with files from The Canadian Press