Alberta highway workers sign first collective agreement

First deal by maintenance employees in two decades

About 450 Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) road-maintenance workers employed by Carillion Canada secured their first collective agreement on Nov. 9, after more than two years in bargaining.

The agreement is a landmark achievement for the labour movement in the province as it’s the first union contract obtained by a group of Alberta highway-maintenance workers in two decades, said the union.

“The road to this collective agreement was a rocky one, but our Carillion members persevered until they secured the job protections and benefits they deserve,” said Mike Dempsey, AUPE vice-president. “It’s a historic agreement for these AUPE members and we’re proud of the unity they maintained during the lengthy bargaining process.”

AUPE members employed by Carillion are responsible for maintaining Alberta’s highways.

AUPE is Alberta’s largest union, with more than 93,000 members across the province.

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