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AUPE trying to unionize 100+ St. Paul workers

The union is trying to organize workers in the non-profit sector in Alberta.

Earlier this week, the Alberta Labour Relations Board released their most recent New Applications Report. In the report is a new application for union certification in Alberta.

The application was filed on 2 August 2022 by the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees.

AUPE is applying on behalf of 119 employees who work for the St. Paul Abilities Network Society, a charitable organization focused on helping people with special needs through home living options and day options.

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The ALRB has scheduled a hearing for this application to occur on 18 August 2022.


Speaking of AUPE, the union announced earlier this week that their bargaining team had successfully negotiated a collective agreement with St. Therese Villa, a supportive living facility in Lethbridge that serves over 200 residents and is operated by Covenant Health.

The previous agreement expired in 2020, but the employer delayed negotiating a new agreement until last summer, citing the pandemic.

If workers approve the tentative agreement in an in-person vote next month, they will see a wage increase retroactive to last October of 1%, a 1.25% increase next month, and a 2% increase next April. There will be a retroactive wage freeze for the period between April 2020 and October 2021.

Workers would also see a 1% pandemic bonus for every regular hour worked in 2021. As well, any workers who’ve been with St. Therese for over 20 years would receive an extra 2% pay increase.

Check out the AUPE website to see all the changes to the new tentative agreement.

This development falls on the heels of AUPE bargaining a tentative agreement for other Covenant Health workers last week.


Since the ALRB doesn’t archive their new application reports, here’s a copy of the most recent one.

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By Kim Siever

Kim Siever is an independent queer journalist based in Lethbridge, Alberta. He writes daily news articles, focusing on politics and labour.

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