A strike by Ponoka’s union staff may not come to fruition.
The Town of Ponoka and staff with the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) are set to meet following Canada Day.
The announcement was made June 21 in a press release, stating that the town reached out to the union to re-enter negotiations.
“It is our wish to keep the dialogue open and try to find a way forward,” said Mayor Rick Bonnett in the release.
Council discussed the issue during a committee of the whole meeting, where it was suggested that administration bring a meeting between the two parties.
In the event of a possible labour strike, Flootman says the town is prepared and has a contingency plan in place that will ensure the operations continue to serve residents.
“We certainly hope a strike doesn’t happen but we have to be prepared for that possibility. Ourcontingency plan will ensure that we can continue to provide essential services to our residents,” says Flootman.
The town received official confirmation by the Alberta Labour Relations Board on June 15 that a strike vote taken on June 13 by town employees who are members of AUPE Local 118, Chapter 004, was in favour of strike action.
The strike vote has triggered a 120-day window within which the town’s AUPE employees can strike after first giving the town 72-hours of notice.