Many civic workers are going to strike in Edmonton from Thursday

Several civic workers are going on strike in Edmonton starting Thursday and many facilities will be affected due to this. Civic Service Union 52, representing 6,000 workers, had announced the strike on Monday.

On Tuesday, the City Council, while talking about this issue, said that if the employees are paid according to their demand, then the city will have to increase the property tax by 2.5 percent this year. The council says it is negotiating a settlement between the city and the workers.

Workers voted last week to reject the city's proposal, which offered a 7.25 percent pay increase over five years from 2021 to 2025. The strike includes library, clerical staff, IT staff, entertainment center front staff and other employees.

Union head Lenny Chudick met with Mayor Amarjit Sohi on Tuesday, but he said the city is refusing to negotiate. Libraries, recreation centers, pools, art or fitness centers will be closed on Thursday.