AUPE says Town of Ponoka workers demand fair contract from council

May 10, 2022 | 10:19 AM

Officials with the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) say workers at the Town of Ponoka are disappointed by the Town’s latest contract proposal.

Following what the union describes as a drawn-out negotiating process over the past two-and-a-half years, the Town is offering the workers a five-year contract with two years of zero salary increases followed by three years with a one per cent pay raise, say union officials.  

“It’s just insulting,” says Bonnie Gostola, Vice President of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, which represents workers at the Town of Ponoka. “Many of these workers have been with the Town of Ponoka for a long time. Is this how we thank them?” 

The union says Town workers will be attending the next town council meeting on May 10, to raise concerns with council about bargaining. AUPE Vice-President Bonnie Gostola will also be present. 

“The Town has raised taxes and utility costs, which their employees also have to pay, in the midst of runaway inflation driving up the cost of living” says Gostola. “If wages don’t keep up, these workers will struggle to make ends meet.” 

Calls for greater cost certainty

Red Deer District Chamber says 5.49% tax rate increase raises concerns among businesses

1h ago

Events in central Alberta

National Volunteer Week begins on Sunday

2h ago

preparing to celebrate

Inaugural Iron Ridge grads excited to pull an all-nighter

3h ago

The union further claims that council is also refusing increases to benefits, while workers are asking for improvements to put them closer to parity with managers, whose benefit packages are said to be “sometimes double those of the workers”. 

“Enough is enough. It’s time for the Town to settle a fair contract for their employees,” Gostola says. “They have worked hard to keep Ponoka running during the pandemic, and they deserve recognition.” 

“The Town of Ponoka continues to bargain in good faith with the union and we remain hopeful that we can work toward an acceptable agreement within the established bargaining process,” wrote the Town of Ponoka, in a statement provided to rdnewsNOW.

by rdnewsNOW Staff

AUPE says Town of Ponoka workers demand fair contract from council

What's Trending