Alberta government looks to arbitration to recoup costs of illegal guards strike

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Correctional officers take part in a strike at the Edmonton Remand Centre on Saturday April 27, 2013. Alberta\'s deputy premier says a labour dispute where guards at provincial jails have walked off the job has resulted in inmates trashing the inside of Edmonton\'s new remand centre. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ben Lemphers

CALGARY – The Alberta government says it intends to use arbitration to recoup losses from an illegal strike by prison guards.

Premier Alison Redford says the cost to taxpayers was $1.3 million a day and taxpayers should not be on the hook.

Solicitor General Jonathan Denis (rhymes with TENNIS) says thecollective bargaining agreement with the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees allows for a claim that will go before an arbitration board.

He says the government will insist that the union reimburse taxpayers.

Guards and a number of other provincial employees walked off the job Friday and were returning to work this morning.

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