Unions are made up of employees who have joined together to deal with employers as a group about issues like wages, benefits and conditions of work. When an effective bargaining relationship is established with an employer, both employees and employers benefit. Employees negotiate with the strength of numbers behind them. Employers gain the benefit of a stable labour relations environment. AUPE members enjoy: Job protection More money with better extended health benefits Generous vacation benefits Access to more education courses, conferences and meetings, than non-union employees When working people choose to join the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, they are joining the largest and most effective union in Alberta. AUPE has over 250 bargaining units negotiating collective agreements on behalf of its members. AUPE also ensures that fair and reasonable conditions won in past negotiations remain in force.

Collective agreements are the legally binding contracts between a group of workers (the union) and an employer, outlining the benefits agreed upon by both parties during the bargaining periods. Collective agreements set out such things as: Guaranteed wages and overtime pay, sick leave and long-term disability insurance, layoff and recall rights, health benefits, dental plans and general insurance, maternity, parental and adoption leave, vacations and working hours. more... See more text