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By rdnewsNOW staff

Better working conditions

Local AUPE members to hold rally on Tuesday in Red Deer

Apr 5, 2025 | 10:34 AM

The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) will hold a rally in Red Deer on Tuesday for improved working conditions for staff and better living conditions for seniors.

The rally will be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at 3100 – 22 Street on April 8. With approximately 100 employees, they expect a number of the workers to be at the rally.

The AUPE and Optima Living Aspen Ridge have failed to reach a new tentative collective agreement after bargaining for a little over a year.

AUPE central zone Vice-President Darren Graham said the current agreement ended in March 2024 and they’ve continued to work with it in place until they can negotiate a new contract.

“Better working conditions for staff means better care conditions for seniors,” says AUPE Vice-President Darren Graham. “Staff can devote more energy to supporting seniors when they are supported by their employer. Time’s up on private-care providers putting profit ahead of people.”

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The AUPE accused Aspen Ridge of stalling the process by refusing to sign off on the agreement.

Among the demands of local AUPE members are fair raises, protection against rising inflation, and adequate sick leave.

Graham explained the seniors who live at the facility are having to pay more each year to live there. With a revolving door of employees due to unfair wages, he said seniors are also don’t get the opportunity to form relationships with the staff.

“We really think the proposals we’re putting forward are fair. Folks should be able to take a job and be able to pay their bills and have their employers support them with their sick time and with health benefits. This ensures they stay healthy so the clients they serve stay healthy and happy as well,” he said.

“It just works out for better services for everybody at the end of the day.”

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