EDMONTON — The union representing thousands of Alberta government workers has voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action.
Guy Smith, president of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, said members have voted 90 per cent in favour of hitting the picket lines. The union served official notice of a strike vote in mid-April and held a four-day strike vote that wrapped up Monday.
Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Smith said the goal remains to get a deal at the bargaining table.
"We do not want to have to use the clear strike mandate we have received, but we will, if necessary," he said, calling it a historic strike vote.
A strike date has not been set, but the strike vote is valid for four months.
The union represents about 23,000 people in jobs ranging from administrative work and law enforcement to social work and Alberta Wildfire.
Smith said his members are dedicated Albertans working on the front lines who "make the government look good."
The union, which is seeking wage hikes, improved working conditions and job security, had been at the bargaining table for well over a year but reached an impasse with the Alberta government, Smith said.
He accused the provincial government of trying to divide his membership.
"We believe our position is fair," Smith said. "Obviously, we're willing to negotiate. We want to negotiate. We believe a deal is achievable."
The union said a strong mandate gives them more leverage at the bargaining table.
Alberta Finance Minister Nate Horner told reporters the strike vote was unfortunate but "somewhat predictable," given the union's messaging to members. He said the province has received a lockout permit.
Whether it would be used is up in the air, but Horner said it's "definitely an option."
"No decision's been made, nor will it be in the coming days," he said Tuesday. "They've said they want to come back to the table. I haven't been debriefed by my team, so we'll take them at their word."
Horner added he has no intention of letting the matter drag on and that nobody wants to see the kind of disruption that would be caused by a strike. There are contingency plans, he said, to keep essential sectors up and running.
NDP jobs critic Peggy Wright said a strike means government services would suffer.
She said workers are doing their best to make ends meet, and the United Conservative Party government should get back to the bargaining table.
"They deserve a good, fair deal," she said. "Workers are deserving of respect. They're deserving of fair wages.
"When you consider the inflation that we've had over the last number of years … I don't understand why the government wouldn't be willing to sit down and bargain fairly with them."
— With files from Lisa Johnson
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 13, 2025.
Fakiha Baig and Aaron Sousa, The Canadian Press
