Prince Albert city workers set date for possible strike
The union representing Prince Albert city workers has set a strike date.
The move comes after talks between the city and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) came to an impasse.
“The city’s offer would leave city workers with less purchasing power at a time when everything is getting more expensive,” president of CUPE 882 Tammy Vermette said in a news release issued on Thursday.
“Despite the rhetoric from the City of Prince Albert, this offer does not address the crushing cost-of-living and instead asks their workers to do more with less.”
The union says it could commence job action, potentially including a full withdrawal of services, as early as Aug. 10.
Last week, Prince Albert mayor Greg Dionne told CTV News the 11 per cent wage increase over four years that the city offered is higher than a settlement reached in Regina, and it strikes a balance between employee salaries and “managing taxpayer dollars effectively.”
The union is asking for a 12 per cent increase over four years and changes to vacation allocation, according to the city.
“This one per cent amounts to approximately $15 on average every two weeks for its members, but collectively the one per cent is a significant amount for the city that property taxpayers would be expected to cover on their tax bills next year,” the city said.
According to CUPE, the mayor and city councillors have seen a 20 per cent of compensation increase since 2016.
“The City of Prince Albert works because our members do. Asking them to accept increases below what Mayor and Council have given themselves is just not on,” vice-president of CUPE 882 Cara Stelmaschuk said in Thursday's news release.
The union represents city workers from different areas including administration, information technology, bylaw enforcement, building inspections, recreation, and arts. They have been without a contract since December 2021.
With files from Rory MacLean
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'It's not realistic': Former PM Chretien thinks Trump will back off trade war
Former prime minister Jean Chretien says U.S. president-elect Donald Trump is likely to walk back his threat of punishing tariffs and the resulting trade war with Canada, because the Americans are too reliant on a number of Canadian exports, namely in the energy sector.
This Canadian teen lost her hands and feet to an infection. She's on a mission to share her story
A Canadian teen is reaching audiences around the world with powerful social media videos showing life without hands and feet – the price she paid after developing sepsis.
Vancouver strip club's X account suspended over cheeky marquee message
The marquee at The Penthouse strip club in downtown Vancouver is known for its edgy comments on politics and pop culture.
'I'll never call him dad again:' Gisele Pelicot’s daughter says she suspects her father also drugged her for sexual abuse
Caroline Darian, the daughter of Gisele Pelicot who sustained years of horrific sexual abuse by her then-husband and other men, has described how she’s certain her father drugged her and strongly suspects she was raped too.
Tough lesson: Thousands of 'unqualified' teachers in Quebec schools
Monique Henry has been teaching English in Quebec for the better part of two decades without official certification. As a so-called "unqualified" teacher, she has had to learn her profession the hard way.
'I didn't want to go cold turkey:' Environment Canada's David Phillips on why he keeps working after retirement
When Environment Canada Senior Climatologist David Phillips retired this past September, he wasn’t quite ready to call it a career.
With their Los Angeles-area homes still smoldering, families return to search the ruins for memories
Since the flames erupted in and around Los Angeles, scores of residents have returned to their still smoldering neighborhoods even as the threat of new fires persisted and the nation's second-largest city remained unsettled.
The implications for Canada if Trump goes through with his punishing Tariffs
A trillion dollars worth of Canadian goods and services are exported out of the country annually with a third of it going to the United States. One economist says if Trump imposes a 25 per cent tariff on those goods, it will be detrimental to the Canadian economy.
Brothers defrauded by B.C. Realtor win $86K in compensation
Two brothers who gave a combined $86,000 to a Realtor who later pleaded guilty to fraud and declared bankruptcy have won compensation in B.C. Supreme Court.
Regina
-
Snowfall warning in effect for parts of southwest Sask., some areas could see up to 50 cm
A snowfall warning is in effect for parts of southwest Saskatchewan on Friday, with potential for some areas to reach up to 50 centimetres over the weekend.
-
Broncos gear up for playoff run while Pats, Warriors look to the future as WHL's trade deadline passes
While headed in opposite directions as franchises, it was a busy trade season for Saskatchewan’s Western Hockey League (WHL) clubs.
-
'Everything is gone': Sask. business owner loses Los Angeles home to wildfires
A Saskatchewan business owner lost her Los Angeles home as wildfires ravage parts of the city.
Winnipeg
-
'Incredible act of kindness': Woman's final goodbye with father captured on video at Winnipeg airport
One woman is expressing her deepest gratitude to the Winnipeg Richardson International Airport after the staff helped her retrieve the security footage of her final moments with her father.
-
Crown attorneys warn of heavy caseloads and vacancies putting the public at risk
Manitoba’s Crown attorneys are sounding the alarm over rising crime, caseloads and vacancies which they say are putting the public at risk.
-
Silver alert issued for 73-year-old man
Winnipeg police are concerned for the well-being of a missing senior.
Edmonton
-
Alberta RCMP advising people to avoid travel Saturday due to poor driving conditions
Alberta RCMP are asking people to avoid travel Saturday due to poor driving conditions in areas across Central and Northern Alberta.
-
Alberta schools drafting contingency plans ahead of looming support worker strike
Alberta's Opposition NDP is calling on the provincial government to act as thousands of school support workers prepare to walk off the job in Edmonton and some nearby communities.
-
With their Los Angeles-area homes still smoldering, families return to search the ruins for memories
Since the flames erupted in and around Los Angeles, scores of residents have returned to their still smoldering neighborhoods even as the threat of new fires persisted and the nation's second-largest city remained unsettled.
Calgary
-
'Good neighbours': Montana residents share thoughts on Trump's '51st state' threat
As U.S. president-elect Donald Trump threatens to annex Canada, some residents in Montana are sharing their thoughts on the idea of Canada becoming the “51st state.”
-
Alberta RCMP advising people to avoid travel Saturday due to poor driving conditions
Alberta RCMP are asking people to avoid travel Saturday due to poor driving conditions in areas across Central and Northern Alberta.
-
Backlund, Andersson named by NHL to Flames quarter century all-star teams
Current team members Mikael Backlund, Rasmus Andersson and general manager Craig Conroy joined an illustrious list of Calgary Flames alumni as the NHL announced the team’s quarter-century all-stars Saturday.
Lethbridge
-
'Good neighbours': Montana residents share thoughts on Trump's '51st state' threat
As U.S. president-elect Donald Trump threatens to annex Canada, some residents in Montana are sharing their thoughts on the idea of Canada becoming the “51st state.”
-
Man dies after falling into sink hole at Fernie Alpine Resort
An investigation is underway by Elk Valley RCMP after a man died Wednesday after falling into a sink hole at Fernie Alpine Resort.
-
One Alberta man gets jail, another community time for 2022 Coutts border protest
Two Alberta men have been sentenced for their roles in the illegal Coutts border blockade in 2022.
Toronto
-
Woman charged after man found stabbed in burning Toronto apartment
A 29-year-old woman is facing charges after a man was found with stab wounds in a burning apartment in downtown Toronto Friday morning.
-
'I didn't want to go cold turkey:' Environment Canada's David Phillips on why he keeps working after retirement
When Environment Canada Senior Climatologist David Phillips retired this past September, he wasn’t quite ready to call it a career.
-
This Canadian teen lost her hands and feet to an infection. She's on a mission to share her story
A Canadian teen is reaching audiences around the world with powerful social media videos showing life without hands and feet – the price she paid after developing sepsis.
Ottawa
-
‘People are excited’: Portion of Rideau Canal Skateway opens for the first time this year
A section of the Rideau Canal Skateway has opened for the first time this winter.
-
Homicide investigation underway after man found dead in Barrhaven
A 58-year-old man was found dead Friday night in an area close to the Stonebridge Golf Course.
-
Ottawa public school board to only offer Enhanced English and French Immersion in new elementary program model
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) is looking at consolidating elementary school programs into two – Enhanced English and French Immersion - and will phase out some special education programs as part changes to its programs.
Montreal
-
Tough lesson: Thousands of 'unqualified' teachers in Quebec schools
Monique Henry has been teaching English in Quebec for the better part of two decades without official certification. As a so-called "unqualified" teacher, she has had to learn her profession the hard way.
-
27 years after Quebec ice storm, Montrealers find themselves in L.A. wildfire's smoke
Montrealers, accustomed to ice storms, snow and cold, found themselves in Los Angeles this week as major wildfires raged throughout the region.
-
Armed assault leaves teen injured in Montreal North
Montreal police (SPVM) confirmed that a 15-year-old was injured during an armed assault in Montreal North on Friday night.
Vancouver
-
Vancouver website now lists politician perks, aiming for more transparency
From hockey tickets to VIP seats for the Celebration of Light, Vancouver’s mayor and council were gifted tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of freebies in 2024.
-
Vancouver strip club's X account suspended over cheeky marquee message
The marquee at The Penthouse strip club in downtown Vancouver is known for its edgy comments on politics and pop culture.
-
‘That’s what good neighbours do’: B.C. sending help to fight California wildfires
British Columbia is preparing to deploy B.C. wildfire crews to southern California.
Kelowna
-
1 hospitalized, residents displaced after Kelowna apartment fire
Firefighters knocked down a blaze on the third floor of a low-rise apartment building near downtown Kelowna Monday afternoon.
-
Lost skiers rescued off B.C. mountain
Search and rescue volunteers in B.C.’s Okanagan successfully reunited two skiers with their family Friday evening.
-
Charges laid after child porn investigation that 'spanned several different countries,' Kelowna RCMP say
Police in Kelowna say an international investigation has led to child pornography charges against a 46-year-old man.
Vancouver Island
-
The dark side of B.C.'s capital: 'They can literally groom hundreds of youth at one time, just with a keyboard'
The picturesque city that is B.C.'s capital has an unseen sinister side that many people are not even aware of.
-
B.C. RCMP officer charged with sexual assault, uttering threats
A British Columbia RCMP officer has been suspended with pay as he faces criminal charges of sexual assault and uttering threats.
-
Does money buy happiness? It depends what you buy and where you live, study says
If you have extra cash lying around, what should you buy? For anyone analyzing their budget for the new year, researchers have a framework that might help get the most satisfaction out of spending.
London
-
Military personnel training in Lobo area today
Training in Middlesex Centre will see a heavy military presence, with army reserve personnel training on patrolling, land navigation, snow defenses and survival in cold weather.
-
Knights defend top spot in OHL standings against Spits
It was a showdown between the two best teams in the OHL on Friday at Canada Life Place - the London Knights and Windsor Spitfires.
-
Illegal dumpers put on notice in south London
Fed up with garbage being dumped along roadways and in vacant lots, one south London resident is fighting back with his cell phone.
Kitchener
-
'It's not realistic': Former PM Chretien thinks Trump will back off trade war
Former prime minister Jean Chretien says U.S. president-elect Donald Trump is likely to walk back his threat of punishing tariffs and the resulting trade war with Canada, because the Americans are too reliant on a number of Canadian exports, namely in the energy sector.
-
Former Stratford, Ont. business owner facing 31 new fraud charges
New fraud charges have been laid against a former restaurant and business owner in Stratford.
-
Pedestrian with serious injuries after getting struck by vehicle in Cambridge
A pedestrian is in hospital with serious injuries after being struck by a vehicle in Cambridge early Saturday.
Northern Ontario
-
Northern Ont. friends prepare for 450-km ski and snowshoe trek
Jean-Philippe Marineau and Patrice Beauparlant, lifelong friends who grew up in Hearst, Ont., are training for a 450-km trek from Fort Albany to Hearst, Ont.
-
It's sick season. Here's how to protect yourself from norovirus, COVID-19, flu and RSV
While many of the germs that cause this misery can circulate throughout the year, scientists think that the winter surge of flu and cold activity may be because we spend more time indoors and the cold, dry air may weaken our defences.
-
Two charged with first-degree murder, arson in northern Ont.
A man and a woman from Blind River have been charged with first-degree murder and a third person has been charged with accessory to murder after the fact.
Atlantic
-
As N.S. domestic abuse rises, daughter of murdered woman seeks more open discussion
The daughter of a Nova Scotia woman killed by her husband is calling for greater public discussion about domestic violence, saying she learned too late about the warning signs in her mother's relationship.
-
What happened to the Oxford sinkhole? Man bought the land and now lives on it
Oxford, N.S. developer Mervil Rushton purchased a sinkhole and bought it, but geologists warn the area is still “high risk.”
-
'It's not realistic': Former PM Chretien thinks Trump will back off trade war
Former prime minister Jean Chretien says U.S. president-elect Donald Trump is likely to walk back his threat of punishing tariffs and the resulting trade war with Canada, because the Americans are too reliant on a number of Canadian exports, namely in the energy sector.
N.L.
-
Heavy equipment used to bash into a Newfoundland bank for second time in a month
Police in eastern Newfoundland say that for the second time in less than a month thieves have used heavy equipment to smash into a bank and steal an ATM.
-
Yvonne Jones, longtime Liberal MP for Labrador, retiring from federal politics
Liberal MP Yvonne Jones speaks to reporters before a meeting of the Liberal women's caucus, on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. Jones announced this morning that she will not be running in the next federal election for her seat in Labrador. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
-
Quebec energy deal touted as new chapter for Newfoundland and Labrador heads for vote
A draft energy deal with Quebec heralded as a game-changer for indebted Newfoundland and Labrador is heading for a vote Thursday night at the legislature in St. John's, N.L.
