City employees union holds strike vote

Civic service union employees are holding a strike vote this weekend and the result could impact almost every area of the City.

CSU52 represents city employees like 911 and 311 operators, Librarians, EPCOR, and even the Telus World of Science. 

The union has been in negotiations with the City of Edmonton — with the union telling CityNews earlier this year members have gone five years without a wage increase 

Edmonton public library employees voted Friday, with 94 per cent of members who cast their vote supporting the strike mandate.

“The overwhelming support for a strike mandate demonstrates our members’ unwavering desire to secure fair and equitable treatment in the workplace. The offer from the Edmonton Public Library falls short of addressing our fundamental concerns, and it is imperative that we stand together to advocate for our rights as workers. This vote sends a clear message that we are prepared to take action to ensure our voices are heard and respected,” said Lanny Chudyk, president of the CSU 52.

The remaining workers in the union will hold their strike vote this weekend.

In response, the City of Edmonton has already applied to the Alberta Labour Board to lock out employees. 

The City says it doesn’t plan to lock out union employees unless it’s needed immediate cause of a strike. 

The union told CityNews while it is a common negotiating tactic, it could potentially be used to call employees back to work without a collective agreement.