Union for Alberta hospital workers issues strike notice; picketing to begin Saturday

EDMONTON – The union representing 16,000 Alberta hospital workers, including licensed practical nurses and health-care aides, says its members are set to hit picket lines this weekend.

Sandra Azocar, president of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, or AUPE, says it gave strike notice Wednesday morning to Alberta Health Services, after bargaining fell apart over wages.

Job action is to begin at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, with pickets outside major hospitals across the province.

“These decisions are never easy,” Azocar told a news conference Wednesday in Edmonton.

“But we reached a point where we had no choice … today, we’re standing up not just for (workers), but for the future of our health care in this province.”

About 98 per cent of members who voted earlier this month approved the job action.

Contract talks have been ongoing since March 2024. 

Azocar said about 78 per cent of union members are essential workers, meaning not all would legally be permitted to strike, so they would rotate shifts on picket lines.

Some elective surgeries have already been cancelled due to the impending job action, Azocar added, and more may be cancelled if a strike drags on.

The union said there’s a wage gap of about nine per cent between what the government last offered and what workers are demanding. The province last offered a 12 per cent wage increase over four years.

Finance Minister Nate Horner said in a statement the government is disappointed with the strike notice.

“The AUPE was offered a fair and reasonable deal that was highly competitive with the other provinces across Canada,” he said. 

“Regardless, we want to assure Albertans that AHS has contingency plans in place in case of a strike … 80 per cent of the LPNs and HCAs will continue working for the duration of the strike to support essential services, while only 20 per cent are legally permitted to withdraw services from non-essential services.”

He said the government is committed to working with the union and Alberta Health Services to explore all options, resolve negotiations and avoid unnecessary health-care disruptions.

“We strongly encourage the parties to come back to the table.”

Horner said earlier this month that the union’s counter-proposal would cost Albertans more than $2 billion.

Alberta Health Services said it’s aware of the strike notice and preparing for disruptions.

“We recognize our staff’s right to participate in legal job action,” the agency said in a statement.

“Our focus is on ensuring patients continue to receive the essential care and treatment they need.”

It also criticized AUPE for speculating about cancelled surgeries.

“At this time, there have been no changes to operations, or any postponements in anticipation of the strike … should there be any direct patient impacts, patients will be notified directly.”

Last month, the government used the notwithstanding clause to order 51,000 striking teachers back to work. The clause allows government to override certain Charter rights for up to five years. 

Azocar said it’s a possibility the province could do the same to AUPE members.

“We’re also quite aware that we’re ready to take a stand if that’s what they choose to do,” she said.

Horner has said it’s “highly unlikely” the government would invoke clause in the AUPE labour action. He said the teachers strike was unique due to its size and complexity.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Nov. 19, 2025.

— With files from Lisa Johnson

Note to readers:This is corrected story. A previous version said the strike is scheduled to start at 8 a.m. Saturday.