Over 4,000 workers from Edmonton Public Schools poised for strike vote

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Educational assistants and support staff at Edmonton Public Schools are poised for a strike vote this week after negotiations between the union and the board were unsuccessful despite formal mediation.

Low wages, large class sizes, and maintenance of schools are the issues at the forefront of negotiations, according to the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).

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Members of CUPE Local 3550 representing Edmonton Public Schools support staff have not seen an agreement in over four years. Its last collective bargaining agreement ended on Aug. 31, 2020.

Rory Gill, president of the Alberta division of CUPE, said in an interview on Friday that members are “very serious” and prepared to do what it takes to get a fair deal. 

“We’re focused on wages because it’s a matter of survival,” Gill said. “We see the same wage offers from employers across the province, which as I say, are abysmally low.”

‘Unacceptable’ wage offer

Both bargaining agents are currently in a 14-day cooling-off period. Gill said while the union has compromised on a number of issues and were able to find common ground on non-monetary issues, the wage offer from Edmonton Public Schools was “unacceptable.” He said if you took the average income of a support worker, the increase would work out to 73 cents over four years.

Gill said its locals are always open to negotiating, but unless something dramatically changes, strike votes will likely be taken this week. Gill said strike action could happen at the end of October.

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“Our locals are going to do whatever they can to find a deal. They do not want to go on strike, but they also need to make it clear that they can’t go on in the present circumstances,” Gill said.

The average educational assistant makes between $27,000 and $30,000, according to a CUPE spokesperson.

Gill said he’s heard from members who are working three jobs to make ends meet.

Over 4,000 ready to strike

As of last week, CUPE Local 3550 counted 3,152 members — CUPE said the number fluctuates. And there are 950 custodial staff for CUPE Local 474.

Local 784 also represents maintenance staff at Edmonton Public Schools but has a contract for the 2020-2024 round.

When asked about the current state of negotiations, a spokesperson from Edmonton Public Schools said they were working “very hard” to reach an agreement with both CUPE locals 3550 and 474.

“While we do not comment about ongoing negotiations, we remain committed to working collaboratively with both CUPE 3550 and 474 to reach an agreement,” the statement said.

Province delays strike for Fort McMurray support staff

On Sept. 17, the Alberta government forced educational assistants and support staff in Fort McMurray back to work on the eve of a planned strike. The strike would have impacted 1,065 educational assistants, librarians, administrative and maintenance staff, and custodians.

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Members of CUPE Local 2559, representing the Catholic system staff, and Local 2545, representing the public system staff, voted with 98.6 per cent in favour of striking — 866 members voted.

Local 2559 members have not received a raise since 2015 and are paid less than their public system counterparts. Local 2545 said its last increase was a 1.25 per cent boost in 2020.

The province has appointed two dispute inquiry boards in hopes that CUPE locals and school divisions will reach an agreement. Both parties now have at least 30 days to reach settlements. If a deal cannot be reached, workers can again declare a strike with 72-hour notice.

Gill sent a letter to Alberta Finance Minister Nate Horner demanding the province stop interfering in the union’s collective bargaining.

Justin Brattinga, senior press secretary for Horner, said in a statement to Postmedia: “CUPE negotiates directly with school boards. The government of Alberta is not involved.”

— with files from Vincent McDermott

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