As we shared in our December 17, 2021 communication to all AU staff, AUFA filed a request to the Alberta Labour Board for an essential services exemption. The Labour Relations Code identifies certain public services as being “essential.” Essential services are those public services that would endanger the public’s life, personal safety, or health if interrupted. Essential services may also be those services that are necessary to the maintenance and administration of the rule of law and public security.
In summary, AUFA’s application asserts that there are no AUFA positions that are essential, as defined in the definition above, and AU agrees. On January 4, 2022, AUFA and AU’s Bargaining Committee met with the Essential Services Commissioner who requested further information from both parties. We anticipate a follow-up meeting and decision on this exemption request will be made in February 2022.