GOA bargaining continues with enhanced mediation
Mark your calendars. By September 3, Government Services members will either have a deal or a strike.
Jul 29, 2025
It has been a long road we have all travelled during the current round of bargaining, one marked by challenges and frustration. But this journey has also galvanized the strength and solidarity of members who are determined to stand together to win higher wages and improved working conditions.
One thing we know for sure is that this road divides at the end of August. It leads either to a collective agreement that truly reflects our needs and demands, or to the necessity of taking strike action.
“We’re using this time not just to maintain momentum, but to increase our momentum. We continue to train strike captains and to prepare members for the possibility of taking strike action or being locked out.”
It’s been 18 months since work began on negotiating a new collective agreement for AUPE members employed directly by the Government of Alberta (GOA).
It’s been more than two months since these members gave their negotiating team a strong mandate with an historic strike vote, with more than 90% saying “YES” to strike action.
So, what’s the latest news?
AUPE and the Government of Alberta have announced a new enhanced mediation process that will carry bargaining to the end of August 2025. This new enhanced mediation process will end in one of two ways: either we come to a good agreement that AUPE members can vote on, or AUPE members will use their strong strike mandate and take to the streets.
“The enhanced mediation process is good news in a final, but impactful, effort to reach a deal,” says AUPE President Guy Smith. “The fact that Alberta’s Finance Minister, Nate Horner, was directly involved to help set this up is also a positive indication that the government is taking these negotiations more seriously,” added Smith.
“However, at the end of what we hope will be a successful mediation process, the Government Services Bargaining Committee will only bring a tentative agreement to the members to ratify if they believe it actually meets the needs and demands of our members."
There are no guarantees, but both AUPE and the government are committed to this process and will dedicate as much time as possible to take advantage of the opportunity to resolve outstanding issues, predominantly centered around pay increases.
“However, at the end of what we hope will be a successful mediation process, the Government Services Bargaining Committee will only bring a tentative agreement to the members to ratify if they believe it actually meets the needs and demands of our members,” says Smith.
Enhanced mediation proceedings will be embargoed to protect the sensitivity and maintain the integrity of the process.
“The enhanced mediation process is good news in a final, but impactful, effort to reach a deal.”
Members are strongly encouraged to continue their involvement and engagement by participating in any rallies and other events, as well as supporting each other in your worksites.
“We’re using this time not just to maintain momentum, but to increase our momentum. We continue to train strike captains and to prepare members for the possibility of taking strike action or being locked out,” says Smith.
In just over a month’s time we will all know very clearly where we stand: either holding up a new collective agreement or on the streets holding up picket signs.
Stay tuned, stay involved, stay engaged and stay strong!
