ATA Provincial Pattern
Alberta Teachers’ Strike: Bargaining Patterns
As Alberta teachers enter their fourth week of a province-wide strike that kicked off on October 6th, it’s important to understand the situation and how it fits into the broader landscape of public-sector bargaining in Alberta. While there are a lot of working conditions covered in bargaining, this post is going to stick to the wage increases.
Initial Monetary Offer
Back in 2024, teachers were presented with a 7.5% wage increase over four years. By September 2025, a mediator suggested a 12% increase, with some teachers potentially receiving over 17% due to additional benefits. However, 89.5% of teachers voted against this offer in September, a significant jump from the 62% who rejected the same wage increase in May. While wages are still an important concern, classroom conditions and workload were not adequately addressed in any of the tentative agreements.
Other Public-Sector Workers
The government’s approach, and by extension public-sector employers’ approach, to wage negotiations has been consistent. Nurses, represented by the United Nurses of Alberta (UNA), initially received a 7.5% offer, which was later increased to 12%. They ultimately secured a 20.5% increase over four years, thanks to additional wage adjustments and step increases. Similarly, government workers, represented by the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE), saw their initial 7.5% offer rise to 11.5% before settling on a 12% increase, with various adjustments leading to many receiving over 20% over 4 years.
What’s Ahead for AUFA Members?
AUFA members should anticipate the government holding public-sector employers to the 12% increase over four years pattern they have set. Other unions, including the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA), the Canadian Unions of Public Employees (CUPE), and healthcare-related AUPE members, are still in negotiations along with the teachers. HSAA and CUPE initially faced a 7.5% offer as well.
The 7.5% offer is also what AU first presented. AUFA countered with a 20% increase over four years, aligning with other unions’ counter offers. AUPE and UNA proposed a 25% increase in the first year and a 10% increase in the second year for a two-year deal for a total of 35%, while ATA countered with a 26% increase over three years. HSAA also countered with a 20% increase over four years, starting with a 7.5% bump in the first year.
Recently, HSAA members rejected a 12% offer over four years, mirroring the teachers’ rejection of the same wage offer. The government may have in fact painted themselves into a corner with this pattern and feel pressure to not break it as other unions will demand more as well. Unfortunately, the government has made negotiations more contentious than they needed to be. Public-sector employers might need to come up with innovative ways to create monetary increases to get agreements while still allowing the government to save face and say it stuck to the 12% pattern.
The government’s initial 7.5% offer, which eventually rose to 12% for most unions so far, has placed public-sector unions in a challenging position, forcing them to counter with higher demands and, in some cases, forcing members to go on strike.
Despite the hurdles, there’s hope for AUFA members. Other unions have shown that it’s possible to secure real gains exceeding 12%, far surpassing the initial 7.5% offer. One challenge that AUFA members should note is the potential for bargaining offers that attempt to divide the unit. AUFA members will also likely have to demonstrate a credible strike threat, following the examples of AUPE and UNA. What we do know is that there is additional money on the table for workers that are willing to stick together and fight for it.
Solidarity with the ATA
AUFA held a Solidarity Soiree on Friday, October 17th. In addition to attendees from AUFA, AUPE and CUPE, seventeen striking teachers attended and were treated to a meal and free drinks. The event featured multiple door prizes, live union music, and a $3000 donation from AUFA directly to the teachers in attendance to help them pay their bills. Eighty-five attendees joined the soiree, with many teachers bringing their children for a good night out.
Solidarity is a lesson about being in shared struggles together and recognizing common cause. As we all bargain for a fair deal under the same government, it is vital that we look out for one another, and share when we can.
