Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): A province-wide strike by Alberta’s licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and health-care aides was narrowly averted after the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) and Alberta Health Services reached a tentative agreement just prior to the commencement of job action on November 22, 2025.
The agreement was reached merely days after AUPE formally served strike notice on November 19, following the collapse of mediation talks. The dispute had intensified in early November when over 11,000 AUPE members voted overwhelmingly, with a 98% majority, in favour of authorizing a strike.
The union argued that wages, staffing shortages, safety concerns, and professional development had remained unresolved for nearly 18 months of negotiations. Despite the strike mandate, an essential services agreement ensured that approximately 78% of LPNs and health-care aides would have remained on duty during any job action. Tensions escalated as AUPE claimed that Alberta Health Services’ wage offer failed to bridge the compensation gap between LPNs, health-care aides, and registered nurses.
The government countered that the union’s wage proposals were financially unrealistic, emphasizing the differences in education and scope of practice between nursing roles. The last-minute agreement paused strike action; however, AUPE leaders acknowledged that they remain approximately nine percent apart from the employer on wages. Members will now vote on whether to ratify the deal, which AUPE states includes progress on workload and safety concerns, despite persistent wage disagreements.
