No service disruptions at Edmonton city facilities or libraries are expected until at least after the long weekend amid pending lockouts or strike action.
Unionized city workers with Civic Service Union (CSU) 52 voted 91 per cent in favour of strike action this week and their Edmonton Public Library counterparts voted 94 per cent in favour the week prior. Both the city and library have applied for lockouts — work stoppages initiated by employers in labour disputes.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters.
- Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account.
- Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
- Support local journalism.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters.
- Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account.
- Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
- Support local journalism.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account.
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
- Enjoy additional articles per month.
- Get email updates from your favourite authors.
Sign In or Create an Account
or
Article content
Article content
While both have the power to take action against the other, neither the workers nor their employers have executed their threats. Action by either party requires 72 hours’ notice. No notices had been filed by Friday’s print deadline.
The city and union are also awaiting a decision from the Alberta Labour Relations Board, making imminent strike or lockout action unlikely. The city hopes to sidestep the union and end the dispute by asking workers to vote directly on the most recent offer — a proposal vote. The offer is a 7.25 per cent wage increase spread over five years, from 2021 to 2025. Whether this vote will proceed has not been determined.
CSU 52 president Lanny Chudyk told Postmedia Friday they won’t strike until at least after that decision is made, by Thursday at the earliest, but the offer is not acceptable to workers.
“We have assured the board that we will not take any action until all the proceedings at the labour board are done,” he said. “We see (the city) still trying to shove that same offer down our throat that is not acceptable. Hasn’t been since day one.”
“That offer is not sufficient. It’s insulting.”
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Article content
Article content
A strike or lockout could halt or disrupt services at libraries, recreation centres, 311 operations, and work in city planning, building code permit processing, IT, communications and other clerical work. Unionized 911 operators, evaluators and dispatchers could also be impacted — uniformed police officers may be tapped to fill in if there is a work stoppage.
The union and city have both indicated they hope to avoid disruptions.
Chudyk said the union has made concessions but the city hasn’t moved on its offer.
“I’m still hopeful of a negotiated settlement at the table. I don’t want to withdraw service,” he said.
City solicitor Michelle Plouffe made similar comments in a news release after the results of the strike vote were announced: “The city’s goal continues to be to reach an agreement that is fair and equitable for members, the city and taxpayers and minimizes any impact to Edmontonians in the process.”
Chudyk thinks an email from Plouffe sent to city employees — obtained by Postmedia and validated by Chudyk — around the time they were conducting the strike vote further upset them.
Article content
The email states: “If a majority of eligible CSU 52 members vote not to accept the City’s best and final offer, neither the City nor the Union can guarantee that an agreement will be reached without a strike or lockout. We do not consider a strike or lockout to be of benefit to you, the City or the community we serve together. It would result in disruption and economic loss and it would not guarantee a better collective agreement than what is being offered now.”
Chudyk said the city is using the idea of a lockout and other things “to intimidate my members, and my members are fed up with that.”
Article content