APL Bargaining Update #12 - New LOA re: red-circled employees

Since our last bargaining update, your Bargaining Committee has continued discussions with Alberta Precision Laboratories (APL) regarding red-circled employees, while also preparing for our next bargaining dates on December 10 and 11, 2025.

We are finalizing a focused package of key outstanding monetary and non-monetary proposals based on your highest priorities and APL’s response in these December meetings will help determine our next steps.

The focus of our recent discussions with the employer has been the group of employees who transferred from DynaLIFE in December 2023 and are currently red-circled, meaning their wages are protected at a higher rate than the pay band for their current position. Without an extension, this protection was set to end on December 18, 2025, which would have resulted in significant wage reductions for these employees.

After persistent pressure from your bargaining team, APL has now agreed to a Letter of Agreement (LOA) that extends this protection for this group of employees. Under the LOA, red-circled wages will remain in place until a new Collective Agreement is reached or until March 31, 2026, whichever comes first.

This is a positive step forward. While we would have preferred red-circling protections to remain in place permanently, this extension means that affected members will avoid any immediate wage drop while bargaining continues.

Have questions? Visit our FAQs page or email aplbargaining@hsaa.ca.

In solidarity,

Laurie Brassard, Laboratory Technologist, UAH, Edmonton (Chair, HSAA Board Member)
Lisa Constantini, MLA, PSC, Calgary
Ayed Saad, Laboratory Technologist, FMC, Calgary 
Evan Zinyk, MLA, Base Lab, Edmonton
Georgianna Renkas, Laboratory Technologist, FMC, Calgary
Katie Hudson, Combined Lab & X-Ray Technologist, Fox Creek
Bailey-Rae Church, MLA, PSC, Red Deer
Chris Bradshaw, HSAA Labour Relations Officer (Lead Spokesperson)
Tammy Milliken, HSAA Labour Relations Officer (Spokesperson)