“Independent experts agree that rollbacks don’t make economic sense. Experts are telling this government, once again, that ideology and economics are spelled differently.”
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Post-secondary education workers at seven institutions across the province will receive a retroactive pay increase of one per cent, an arbitrator has ruled.
The decision will affect more than 2,300 members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) who can expect to see a payment reflecting hours worked between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020.
“Once again, an independent arbitrator has thoroughly rejected rollbacks for public sector workers,” said Kevin Barry, a vice-president of AUPE in a news release. “Independent experts agree that rollbacks don’t make economic sense. Experts are telling this government, once again, that ideology and economics are spelled differently.”
Arbitrator David Tettensor rejected a proposed cut of two per cent to worker salaries and instead awarded the pay increase. In his decision, he wrote the increase is “fair and reasonable” and “in the best interest of the public.”
“This win is just the beginning,” Barry said. “We’re going to continue fighting to improve the working conditions for education workers—and the learning conditions for students. Education is a key part of Alberta’s future, and we’re fighting to make it better.”
Workers at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Norquest College, Athabasca University, University of Lethbridge, Lakeland College, Northern Lakes College, and Red Deer College will be affected by the decision.
