Airdrie care home workers file to unionize

Last week, the Alberta Labour Relations Board published their first new applications report for July 2025. In it was an application for union certification.

The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees filed the application on 4 July 2025 on behalf of workers employed at Airdrie Care Community.

The employer is listed as 2371281 Ontario Limited in the application. This company is a subsidiary of Sienna Senior Living Inc., according to their 2024 annual report; although it’s listed as 2371281 Investment LP (Ontario).

Based out of Ontario, Sienna owns senior residences in BC, Ontario, and Alberta, including the 126-suite facility in Airdrie.

AUPE is trying to organize a bargaining unit at this continuing care facility that would include about 130 workers.

Before a union can submit an application for union certification, they must demonstrate that they have the support of at least 40% of the workers in that bargaining unit. That works out to 52 workers in this case.

The labour board has scheduled a hearing for this Friday (18th), during which time the employer can argue why they think these workers shouldn’t be able to join AUPE.

Should the ALRB approve the application, they will conduct a certification vote, allowing workers to democratically choose on whether to join AUPE. Assuming all 52 of the workers who initially supported unionization vote in favour, they’d have to convince 14 of their fellow workers to do the same.

If the workers successfully unionize, their first step will be to elect a bargaining committee and begin negotiating a collective agreement.

Because the ALRB doesn’t archive their new application reports, I’ve included a copy of this report below.