Coaldale council defers negotiations with locked-out employees to next government

Coaldale town council has decided to defer the latest contract proposal by the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees to end a month-long lockout of the town’s more than 40 employees.

Council said it has the union’s latest deal in hand but said in part in a statement on Tuesday night that it would be best for the incoming council to deal with contract negotiations.

Coaldale’s municipal election is on Oct. 20.

“We acknowledge receipt of AUPE’s latest proposal, but with advance polls opening on Thursday this week, we determined that it would be irresponsible for this council to bind the next one, as well as residents, to a multi-year collective agreement with AUPE,” Mayor Jack Van Rijn said in Tuesday’s statement.

“Since the very beginning of our term, we’ve made transparency with residents a priority. This decision reflects our commitment to that principle.

“Out of respect for voters, we need to let the democratic process play out so a newly elected council can look at this situation with fresh eyes and get up to speed on the file.”

In a previous statement announcing its latest contract proposal, AUPE said “it is incumbent on the town to resolve the lockout quickly instead of deferring the issue to the next term for mayor and council.”

“This lockout has put immense pressure on the community and our members,” AUPE vice-president Curtis Jackson said in that statement.

“Our members just want to do their jobs and help their fellow Coaldale residents, but they also deserve a fair contract that reflects the essential work they do.”