-

Deals Reached in Three Education Strikes

EDMONTON, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Deals that could lead to the end of a province wide strike by education workers were reached today between CUPE locals and the Edmonton Public, Fort McMurray Public and Fort McMurray Catholic school districts.

The settlements, which must still be ratified by CUPE members, would end the strikes at three school districts. About 3,000 CUPE 3550 members have been on strike at Edmonton Public since January 13 and another 1,000 CUPE 2545 and CUPE 2559 members in Fort McMurray have been on strike since mid-November 2024.

The settlements do not apply to the 2,600 support workers on strike in Calgary, Sturgeon, Parkland, Foothills and Black Gold school divisions, however, CUPE Alberta President Rory Gill says those locals will be rushing back to the negotiating table as quickly as possible to try to get a deal.

“I’m in awe of the workers in Edmonton and Fort McMurray who stood their ground, in weather as cold as minus 51 degrees, to win a fair contract,” said Gill. “Their fortitude, their determination, and their solidarity won the day.”

“Education support workers are critical to our school system, and today they finally won the respect they deserve,” said Gill.

Gill said CUPE won’t be releasing finer details of the settlement until members have had a chance to look at it. However, he did confirm that all three deals have wage agreements that are higher than the original wage mandates imposed by the Alberta government, and all three deals were for a period ending in August 2028.

At Fort McMurray Public and Catholic schools, workers will vote on the proposal over a 24-hour period ending on Monday evening. If the proposal is ratified, members will return to work on Wednesday, March 19. There will be no traditional picket lines on Monday or Tuesday.

At Edmonton Public Schools, ratification will occur on Monday or Tuesday, and return to work will happen on Wednesday or Thursday. There will be no traditional picket lines in the meantime.

:clc/cope 491

Contacts

Lou Arab, Communications Representative
780.271.2722 | larab@cupe.ca

Industry:

Canadian Union of Public Employees

Release Versions
English

Contacts

Lou Arab, Communications Representative
780.271.2722 | larab@cupe.ca

More News From Canadian Union of Public Employees

Nurses, PSWs, clerical workers, and others to protest 400 job cuts at The Ottawa Hospital on Tuesday morning

OTTAWA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On Tuesday morning, CUPE 4000 health care workers will be protesting 400 job eliminations at The Ottawa Hospital as provincial funding cuts threaten patient care at the city’s largest health care institution. “The Ford government is doing a disservice to the citizens of Ottawa,” said Robert Gauthier, president of CUPE 4000. “These cuts will hurt staff and patients. It will lengthen wait-lists, delay care delivery, increase the risk of medical errors, and undermine the h...

Course set for CUPE BC as province’s largest union concludes 2026 convention

VICTORIA, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--B.C.’s largest union has set course for the next year after wrapping up the CUPE BC annual convention. Over 500 delegates from across the province passed more than 45 resolutions directing the union advocacy on behalf of workers and B.C. public services. A top priority for the union, representing over 120,000 workers in B.C., will be working to elect progressive candidates in the upcoming municipal elections. “In communities across the province, CUPE...

CUPE BC Convenes Annual Convention in Victoria

VICTORIA, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--B.C.’s largest union is setting its course to defend crucial public services and the rights of workers that deliver them. CUPE BC, the provincial division of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, kicked off its annual convention this evening in Victoria with over 500 union members and guests from across the province. Karen Ranalletta, president of CUPE BC, set the tone for the 4-day convention by highlighting how CUPE members in the province have d...
Back to Newsroom