Edmonton continuing care workers file to unionize

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

Technically it was two applications.

The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees filed the first application on 21 July 2025 on behalf of nearly 200 workers employed by 2371281 Ontario Limited.

They filed the second application on the same date for the same number of workers by for the company 2371281 Investment LP.

Both companies are subsidiaries of Sienna Senior Living Inc., according to their 2024 annual report.

Based out of Ontario, Sienna owns senior residences in BC, Ontario, and Alberta, including Shasta Care Community, a 162-unit continuing care centre in Edmonton, where these workers are employed.

AUPE is also attempting to organize workers at Sienna’s Airdrie facility: Airdrie Care Community.

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 78 workers in this case.

The labour board has scheduled a hearing for next Tuesday (5th), 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 whether to join AUPE. Assuming all 78 of the workers who initially supported unionization vote in favour, they’d have to convince 20 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 does not archive their new application reports, I have included a copy of this week’s report below for your reference.