Alberta health workers ratify deal reached moments before strike was set to start

EDMONTON – A deal reached a minute before thousands of Alberta health workers were set to strike last weekend has been approved, their union says.

The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees says in a news release that more than 16,000 nursing care members, which includes licensed practical nurses and health-care aides, have ratified a new collective agreement.

An exception was nursing care members at the Lamont Health Care Centre, who it says rejected the agreement in a separate ratification vote and will return to the bargaining table.

The union says the agreement includes total raises of nearly 24 per cent for licensed practical nurses, just over 17 per cent for health-care aides, and also has increases to shift premiums and rates.

It’s retroactive to April 1, 2024, and will expire Ma