EDMONTON – Education support workers at two school districts took job action today starting this morning.
Over 200 employees of Sturgeon public schools (members of CUPE Local 4625) will take rotating job action and work to rule.
Over 3,000 employees of Edmonton public schools (members of CUPE Local 3550) will take full strike action at all schools and other board offices.
CUPE 3550 President Mandy Lamoureux said the workers love their jobs, their students, and their schools, but have been pushed to the limit.
“Some support staff have gone ten years without a cost of living wage increase,” said Lamoureux. “Many of our members work two to three jobs to earn a living wage.”
“Alberta has the lowest funding for education of any province in Canada,” said Lamoureux.
CUPE says job postings at schools are going unfilled due to poor wages. Edmonton Public School Board has a 10% vacancy rate among support staff positions.
People are quitting, no one will take the jobs at these wages. Students and education are suffering, said CUPE 4625 President Kelly Salisbury. “If we don’t take action, a bad situation for students will only get worse.”
Contact:
Lou Arab, Communications Representative
larab@cupe.ca