City workers overwhelmingly reject Edmonton's offer in CSU 52 labour dispute

Unionized civic workers have overwhelmingly rejected the City of Edmonton’s “best and final offer” after the employer called for a direct vote, extending the long-standing and increasingly tense labour dispute.

The potential for a significant strike or lockout in Edmonton became more likely on Friday with nearly 88 per cent of returned ballots marked with a “no.” The city called its more than 5,000 employees in Civic Service Union (CSU) 52 to a “proposal vote” this week, requiring them to vote directly on the latest offer instead of negotiating through their union. These workers voted to strike in February alongside Edmonton Public Library employees in a different bargaining unit.

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CSU 52 president Lanny Chudyk said this week’s result — which about 88 per cent of eligible workers participated in — sends the clear message there is a “misalignment” between the city and its employees. What happens next, he said, is up to the City of Edmonton

Both the union and employers need to give at least 72 hours’ notice before activating a strike or lockout.

But Chudyk hopes the city changes its position and resumes negotiations.

“The employer is well aware of what is required to conclude these negotiations positively and avoid a strike. Our members expect a shift in city council’s mandate to reflect a fair and equitable agreement,” he said in a statement.

“While the city’s response to our proposal will dictate our next steps, we remain open and available for dialogue, ready to engage over the weekend if necessary. Our future actions will be guided by the city’s willingness to revisit their stance and work towards a deal that genuinely considers the well-being and fair treatment of its employees.”

Library workers with Civic Service Union 52, rally outside the Stanley Milner Library, as contract talks between the City and the union have stalled, in Edmonton Thursday March 7, 2024. Photo by David Bloom /Postmedia

The rejected offer set a 7.25 per cent wage increase, with retroactive pay to 2021, spread over five years. It proposed raises of 0, 1, 2, 2, and 2.5 per cent each year to 2025 — a position the union says the city hasn’t moved from in many months.

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If accepted, this would have formed a new collective agreement for clerical, communications and IT staff, 911 dispatchers, front-facing recreation centre staff, and planners in the bargaining unit.

CSU 52 members rallied outside the downtown Stanley A. Milner Library Thursday evening to express their dissatisfaction.

Chudyk said CSU 52 has presented the city with a “fair and reasonable proposal” that is far below the cost-of-living and inflationary increases the past five years, which “respects the contributions and needs of our members, acknowledging the years of their commitment and patience, while respecting the fiscal constraints the City of Edmonton faces.”

Calling the vote last week, the city said every CSU 52 member should have their say directly on its offer.

“We believe our offer is fair when you consider the balance the city needs to achieve between recognizing the value of employees through a pay raise and the impact that increase has on all taxpayers,” Cyndil Taylor, acting city chief people officer, said in a news release at the time.

The average CSU 52 civic worker’s salary is $86,000, according to the city. The union has questioned this figure.

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