Civic Service Union 52 (CSU 52)

Civic Service Union 52 (CSU 52)

Civic Service Union 52 (CSU 52)

Project Summary

Civic Service Union 52 (CSU 52) is one of Edmonton’s largest unions, representing over 5000 City of Edmonton and 900 Edmonton Public Library employees. These members perform a diverse range of front-line work including 911 operators to library workers. Despite their integral role in operating most of the city’s core services, the union and its members had little to no profile in the community. Union members were frustrated with their employer; after not having a wage increase since 2018 and working without a contract since 2020, negotiations had stalled and they were looking for a path forward to a fair and equitable deal.

Our task was to boost CSU 52’s reputation in the community and create an environment for decision makers – in particular, City Council – to make a difficult decision that would impact taxpayers while supporting their important workforce. Despite the city’s tight budget and a looming 7% tax increase, accepting a zero-increase deal wasn’t an option for CSU 52.

The challenge? Most Edmontonians didn’t know who CSU 52 was, what its members did and why their work is crucial to day-to-day life in Edmonton. They didn’t know why they should care about CSU 52 and they definitely did not want to spend more money in taxes. We set out to change that, making CSU 52 members’ roles and struggles relatable to everyone in the city. It was time to demonstrate that these weren’t merely union members fighting for a raise; they were friends, neighbours, and vital members of our community, playing essential roles in our daily lives.

Our Services

Highlights & Results

The City of Edmonton came back to the table and renegotiated the deal with CSU 52, which was ratified by members with 83.5% support, avoiding a strike. Awareness of CSU increased by 28%, with 43% of people aware of the union and 77% viewing it favourably. Media relations efforts were immeasurable, with over 328 million online impressions alone, multiple front-page articles in the Edmonton Journal, and significant coverage in other outlets. The campaign also resulted in 1,666 letters to City Council, 501 survey responses, 497 voicemails, and 17,983 website visits, contributing to a change in leadership at City Hall.

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