Support staff at Edmonton Public Schools have voted to go on strike this Thursday, following stalled contract negotiations.
The union, which represents administrative assistants, technicians, librarians, and other support staff, is pushing for better wages and working conditions. According to the union’s president, the government’s proposed 2.75 per cent wage increase amounts to just 73 cents more per hour per worker—far below what is needed to meet the rising cost of living.
Last week, the Edmonton Public School Board sent a letter to parents, warning that the strike could disrupt students’ learning. The board has brought in a mediator to help facilitate negotiations between the union and the board.
The strike action comes as the union continues negotiations with the province, seeking wage increases and more support to manage the growing classroom sizes across Alberta.
