Your employer, AgeCare Health Services Inc. (AgeCare), has entered into a partnership agreement to share ownership of five of its Alberta facilities with Axium Infrastructure, a Montreal-based portfolio investment firm. The two have filed a request to the Labour Relations Board to have a new company, Aster Joint Ventures Limited Partnership, to become the new operator of Walden Heights, Skypointe, Sagewood and Sunrise Gardens Senior Communities.
Many members may be concerned about what this new joint venture means for their employment, seniority and more. One of the many benefits of being an AUPE member is that the Labour Relations Code stipulates that as a successor employer, Aster Joint Ventures is party to the collective agreement that you and your coworkers negotiated with AgeCare.
In other words, the new partnership is legally bound to your current collective agreement and still protects you. AUPE continues to be your union.
Your seniority, your spot on the wage grid, your entitlement to benefits and your other rights will all carry over when Aster officially takes over operation of these facilities. If you any questions or concerns, please reach out to your Membership Services Officer at 1-800-232-7284.