Negotiations between AHS and AUPE resume, strike still on the table

The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees and Alberta Health Services are headed back to the bargaining table one day after strike notice was given.

The union representing thousands of Alberta health-care workers said it is back at the bargaining table with Alberta Health Services (AHS) after a strike was announced Wednesday morning.

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“After we served strike notice, AHS invited us back to the bargaining table for more mediation,” said a statement from the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees Thursday. “Your team accepted this invitation and we are eager to see the employer’s new offer.”

A strike is still scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, which could see thousands of licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and health-care aides (HCAs) walk off the job.

“There are no guarantees here,” said the statement. “We would love to reach an agreement at the table, but we will also not accept an offer that does not meet your needs.

“If the employer’s new offer is not satisfactory, we will go on strike as planned.”

The province said it was pleased to hear that both parties were back at the table.

“We remain hopeful the parties can arrive at an agreement that is fair for workers, responsible for taxpayers and supports stability in our health care system,” said a statement from the Ministry of Finance.

Bargaining for a new collective agreement began in March 2024, with talks breaking down in April 2025.

AUPE members voted 98 per cent in favour of strike action earlier this month, with 11,030 of 15,650 eligible members participating.

“Members had felt that they could no longer continue to bargain without any real movement on the part of the employer,” said AUPE president Azocar in an interview with CTV News Edmonton.

Major sticking points in negotiations have been compensation for LPNs who get paid some 60 per cent of what registered nurses make while doing much of the same work, according to AUPE.

“When it comes to the scope of practice that LPNs have and the increased scope of practice that HCAs have in our health care system and the inequity from people that basically do the same jobs, sometimes it’s too much for members,” said Azocar. “They feel undervalued and disrespected when they’re doing the same work, yet getting compensated significantly less.”

Another issue impacting workers is long hours and stretches of shifts without days off, said the union president.

AHS estimates that AUPE’s proposal would cost the province $2 billion.