-

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

CUPE warns Carney government against unprecedented attack on workers’ rights

OTTAWA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CUPE, Canada’s largest union, is warning the federal Liberals against moving on proposals to curb the Charter-protected right to strike and further tilt the balance of power toward major corporations and employers. While CUPE remains open to discussing ways to improve labour relations and preventing conflicts, CUPE National President Mark Hancock says the changes – proposed in a discussion paper as part of a hasty federal consultation on reforming the labour code – seem...

CUPE Ontario warns Carney Liberals: Remember what happens when governments try to remove workers’ right to strike

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ontario’s largest union expressed its shock at federal Liberal proposals to designate more workers “essential” as a way of removing their right to strike and it warned Prime Minister Carney that attempts to abrogate workers’ Charter-protected rights to free collective bargaining would be met with fierce resistance from labour. “The Carney Liberals must have the shortest memories ever,” said CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn. “They appear to have already forgotten that l...

Number of CUPE long term care locals on strike across NS hits 35

HALIFAX, NS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--After six weeks on the picket line, long term care workers continue to show their commitment to their demands. Nearly 3,500 members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) have been on strike since mid April. Workers at MacGillivray Guest House in Sydney are expected to join the strike this week, bringing the total number of striking locals across Nova Scotia to 35. Represented by CUPE 1562, workers will begin their strike on May 22 at 7am at 25 Xavier Dri...
Back to Newsroom