A new collective agreement is now in place for over 23,000 Government of Alberta employees, ending a contract gap that lasted since March 31, 2024.
Members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, or AUPE, voted to accept the mediated deal, with 63.5 per cent voting in favour. The agreement covers a wide range of public service roles — from administrative staff and Alberta Sheriffs to social workers and wildfire fighters, including some staff in Lloydminster.
The new contract includes a 12 per cent wage increase over four years, retroactive to April 1, 2024, and running through to March 31, 2028.
While many welcomed the deal, some workers expressed disappointment over missing out on market adjustments and other benefits. AUPE acknowledged the concern, saying it’s not unusual in large, complex agreements and emphasized the need to stay engaged with members ahead of future negotiations.
In addition to annual wage increases of three per cent, the contract also includes:
- A minimum base salary of $22.65/hour, aligned with Alberta’s living wage
- Two per cent longevity bonus for employees reaching 20 years of service
- A new $11.4 million annual fund for recruitment and retention, with a guaranteed four per cent yearly increase
AUPE President Guy Smith called the bargaining process difficult, saying members had to make “tough choices.”
Finance Minister Nate Horner praised the outcome, calling it a balance between “competitive compensation and long-term stability.”
The agreement follows a near-strike earlier this year, when AUPE members voted 90 per cent in favour of strike action. That vote was set to expire this week, prompting a final round of mediated talks.
Retroactive pay under the new agreement is expected to be issued within 90 days.
