AUPE inks deal for 27,000 general health support services workers

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on February 10, 2026.

newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com

The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees ratified a new agreement for general support services workers with Alberta Health Services, the provincial health agencies and provincial health corporations over the weekend.

More than 27,000 members are represented by the new agreement. Negotiations had been ongoing since February 2024, with both parties entering formal mediation in October 2025.

The new agreement includes general wage increases of 3 per cent for all employees in the bargaining unit through 2027, and a 12 per cent pay increase retroactive to April 2024.

Under the new agreement, all members in the bargaining unit will reach a living wage of $22.65 by Apr. 1 2027.

AUPE President Sandra Azocar called the agreement a win for AUPE health care workers in a statement following the tentative agreement Jan. 30.

“To say this was a hard-won fight is an understatement,” she said. “We have been working short-staffed and battling privatization and budget cuts for years.”

Minister of Finance Nate Horner issued a statement about the agreement Friday. He said the new agreement marks the end of the collective bargaining with the province’s major health sectors for this round of negotiations.

The province reached a deal with theAUPE union representing more than 16,000 nursing care staff, including licensed practical nurses and health-care aides, just minutes before they were set to strike.

“This new collective agreement provides fair compensation increases in line with other public sector deals and improved benefits for GSS members,” said Horner.

“Having these agreements in place is a major investment in our health-care system and provides stability for all Albertans.”

In addition to wage increases, the new collective agreement also includes several notable benefit improvements, including increasing the flexible spending account from $900 to $1,200 per year effective Jan. 1 2026.

Other improvements to follow include $1,000 for massage therapy and enhanced diabetic equipment coverage, following 90 days after the date of ratification.

14
-13