Alberta MLAs won't get a raise for the next three years in a move the government believes sets a strong example.

The decision to hold the line on salaries was passed by the Members’ Services Committee on Friday.

It comes two days after the government introduced Bill 46, which would impose a settlement with a two-year pay freeze if the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees doesn’t reach an agreement by the end of January.

AUPE president Guy Smith calls the MLA pay freeze a sham. (CBC)

AUPE President Guy Smith called the MLA salary freeze a sham in light of last year's raise, which increased salaries by $55,862.

"If our members had received those kind of pay increases in 2012, they would probably be able to accept a pay freeze as well," he said.

NDP leader Brian Mason voted against the freeze as a symbolic move.

“Obviously they would look very bad if they froze the wages of provincial employees and gave themselves a raise,” he said.

“So they're freezing their own wages. But there's a big difference between freezing the wages of MLAs at $150,000 a year and freezing the wages of a frontline employee at $50,000.”

Liberal Leader Raj Sherman believes that government MLAs aren't making a sacrifice.

"I've said, look, if the government seriously wants to be serious about MLA pay and using it to show leadership, they should actually reduce MLA salary and freeze it," he said.

Sherman doesn't believe that MLAs should make decisions on their salaries. His attempt to make an amendment was voted down.

AUPE is planning another protest rally against Bill 46 Monday at the Alberta legislation.