The amount is by no means a king’s ransom.

But it ain’t zero.

And these days in the real world some people would give a hell of a lot just to get their old job back.

This deal involves auxiliary nursing care locals of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees. The pay increases are almost all for hours already worked.

The hikes cover April 1, 2015, to March 31, 2017.

The first year is a 1.2% raise. The second year is 0.8% on top of that.

Yes, this pay hike is for a contract that’s almost run out and, even with the raise, this increase is no sure bet to get the thumbs-up in a union vote next month. The mood is not overwhelmingly positive.

Then there are the negotiations as other union locals line up with their demands. For the AUPE alone, that’s up to 75,000 workers.

At AUPE, smarter people than this columnist say there is no appetite for a wage freeze going forward.

Methinks this is also the case in the broader labour movement.

The union confirms Alberta Health Services wanted zero. AHS does not return a phone call. It isn’t the first time.

So they wanted no pay increase. Big deal. There were 25 face-to-face meetings of the two sides. The matter went to a mediator.

In this case, the mediator sounded almost apologetic as he recommends the pay hike.

“As is often the case with a mediator’s recommendation, neither party will wholly welcome a position that falls short of their hopes,” he writes.

“However, it is my firm view, during this difficult period, that this set of recommendations represent the best hope for a settlement in the current economic climate.”

Yes, this is what happens.

The provincial government or government-funded groups can put a pay freeze on the table for negotiation and almost certain rejection.

They talk and talk and talk. It can then go to mediation or arbitration and numbers are crunched and out pops a compromise pay raise.

Then the provincial government or one of its taxpayer-funded outfits can shift the blame. Come on Albertans, we tried. It’s out of our hands.

Let’s face it. If the government really wants a wage freeze they have to bring in a wage freeze, full stop. The NDP have given no indication they are doing so.

Don’t blame the unions.

A union’s job is to score the best deal they can for their members.

The provincial government’s job is to get the best deal they can for Albertans.

Heaven help Albertans.

And this yarn wouldn’t be written if happy days were here again.

But they aren’t.

Look at the Albertans who have lost their jobs, the contractors who can’t find work, the folks seeing pay cuts or having their pay frozen or getting fewer hours.

People trying to hold on to their businesses.

They still send money to the provincial government whose own books are in a mess. What is the message the government has for them?

Life is different in the public sector.

Wildrose’s Jason Nixon shakes his head and he knows this will be discussed when he goes home and drops in at the Sundre A&W.

He knows what the people he represents will say.

“It’s crazy. They’re looking to Edmonton and their government and saying: ‘What are you doing with our money? Are you not realizing how tough things are in the heartland of Alberta?’”

And what is the opinion of the provincial government in that heartland?

“The NDP has no idea how bad things are and just do not care.”

Nixon has no faith the NDP will bring in a wage freeze. If they wanted to freeze wages they would make it happen.

“If they seriously wanted to do it they would just put a wage freeze in. They could do that. Get ‘er done. Put a wage freeze in and move on. What’s the problem?” asks Nixon.

“Many Albertans are struggling and we should be trying to support them, not spending more of their tax dollars at a time they’re struggling.”

The Notley NDP have never spoken of a wage freeze. If they want to talk, e-mail or call. You have my number.

One world-weary wag sums up the sentiments of many. His words are to those on the public payroll itching for a pay hike.

“We have no more money. You’re gettin’ zero. Your job is safe.”

rbell@postmedia.com