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Part of Labour relations

Employee Labour Relations Support Program

New supports are in place to help unionized employees, or employees that may become part of a union, better understand and exercise their rights.

On this page:

Overview

The Employee Labour Relations Support Program is designed for employees who are unionized or may soon become unionized who want to understand and exercise their rights and responsibilities under Alberta’s labour legislation.

The Employee Labour Relations Support Program is supported by staff in the Labour Relations Policy and Legislation unit.

We can provide information, assistance, and if required, legal support, related to union matters, such as:

  • union certification
  • union decertification
  • your rights as a unionized employee

Union certification

Certification refers to a union becoming a bargaining agent for a unit of employees. If employees decide to be represented by a union, they can form their own trade union or join an existing union.

The Alberta Labour Relations Board (ALRB) is responsible for the application process involving union certification.

  • To become certified, submit an application to the Alberta Labour Relations Board.
  • The ALRB will conduct a vote by secret ballot if the application meets requirements set out in the Labour Relations Code.
  • If a majority of employees vote in favour, the union becomes their certified bargaining agent.

Learn more about the certification process.

Union decertification

Unions can be decertified when employees, unions and employers apply to the ALRB to have their bargaining rights revoked. The ALRB is responsible for the application process involving union decertification.

The ALRB can also revoke bargaining rights on its own initiative in some cases.

Learn more about the decertification process.

Contact us

If you're a unionized employee and are having an issue with your employer, contact your union first for assistance and information.

Information is available on our website.

If you still have questions on union certification, decertification or workplace organizing campaigns, fill out the following form:

All fields are required unless otherwise indicated.

Alternatively contact the Employee Labour Relations Support Program for information at:

Toll free: 1-833-644-2583 (Alberta)
Phone: 780-644-2583 (Edmonton area)

Other supports and resources

Depending on the type of information you need, the following organizations may also be able to help you.