Union wage hike would add 2.5% to Edmonton taxes, rec centres close

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Edmonton will see significant shutdowns to city services, facilities and local governance when unionized civic workers strike later this week, but city council says giving employees their requested wages would raise property taxes by another 2.5 per cent this year.

Accepting what Civic Service Union (CSU) 52 is proposing would result in a final property tax increase of 9.1 per cent for 2024, all members of city council said in a rare joint statement late Tuesday. Council landed on a 6.6 per cent tax increase in November, of which 1.6 per cent came from raises for the police.

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Council doubled down on Edmonton’s existing offer, calling its proposal “fair and equitable” for both taxpayers and the more than 5,000 civic and library employees planning to strike this week.

“The offer presented by the city strives to balance the requests of CSU 52 members for fair compensation and a more flexible work environment with the current fiscal pressures face by the city and Edmontonians,” the statement reads.

“All members of council are united in our desire to reach a fair and equitable resolution for all city employees. We deeply value their contributions and know that they work hard every day to provide the services Edmontonians rely on.”

“The city’s negotiating team will continue to be open to discussion to find the best resolution possible for both our employees and all Edmontonians.”

But employees overwhelmingly rejected the city’s proposal in a direct vote last week which offered 7.25 per cent wage increase spread over five years from 2021-2025. Library, clerical, communications, and IT staff, along with 911 dispatchers and front-facing recreation centre staff are among the employees negotiating new contracts.

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CSU 52 president Lanny Chudyk met with Mayor Amarjeet Sohi Tuesday but said afterwards the city is still refusing to negotiate.

“The mayor can keep his head in the sand all he wants and wish the two parties would get together — but that directive comes from him,” he said. “The mandate on the deal that is being offered by administration comes from the mayor and council. Where is the accountability from these ‘so-called’ leaders? Edmontonians are counting on them,” he said in a news release earlier Tuesday.

Recreation centres, city attractions close to public and council meetings reduced

Many city facilities and services will be closed starting Thursday until the labour dispute is resolved.

Recreation centres, pools and arenas will be closed to the general public except for pre-arranged bookings and rentals. There will be no front-desk reception or drop-in programs, including for art or fitness.

Libraries will be closed.

City council’s regular meetings, the main decision-making mechanism for Edmonton’s elected municipal officials, will be reduced. Council meetings will only be held “for items identified as critical for ongoing operations,” the city’s website states. Public hearings, however, will continue.

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City hall remains closed to the public following January’s shooting attack.

City attractions will be closed to the general public, including Edmonton Valley Zoo, Muttart Conservatory, Fort Edmonton Park, City Arts Centre, John Walter Museum, John Janzen Nature Centre, Yorath House, Rundle Family Centre, Prince of Wales Armouries Heritage Centre, and Alfred H Savage Center. Pre-existing bookings and rentals can proceed.

311 will be down other than for urgent public safety requests.

Meetings for the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board and the Community Standards and Licence Appeal Board are postponed and will resume when the labour disruption ends.

Freedom of information requests won’t be processed.

Transit, including DATS, won’t be impacted. The police and the fire department will continue regular duties.

A full list of disruptions can be found on the city’s website.

lboothby@postmedia.com

@laurby

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