Thousands of education workers are returning to schools after taking labour action — some for months.
Strikes in eight school divisions ended the week of March 17, as CUPE locals ratified agreements with Fort McMurray Public Schools, Fort McMurray Catholic Schools, Edmonton Public Schools, Sturgeon School Division, Parkland School Division, Black Gold School Division, Calgary Catholic School District and Calgary Board of Education. Education workers in Foothills School Division had also reached a tentative agreement as of March 20.
“Education support workers have shown great courage and determination,” said Rory Gill, CUPE Alberta president. “I’m so happy for them that they have won the respect they deserve.”
Though details on the agreements between CUPE locals and school divisions were not available at the time of publication, CUPE reported that all of the settled agreements extend to August 2028 and include a wage package higher than the caps that had been set by the provincial government.
The recent agreements follow a series of prolonged strikes in jurisdictions across the province. Education workers in the two Fort McMurray school divisions had been engaged in labour action the longest, since mid-November 2024.
“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.”
Remarking on the sacrifice of education workers who had been engaged in labour action, ATA president Jason Schilling said that the agreements will lift the burden placed on support workers, students and teachers and allow schools to move toward normalcy.
“Our schools are not the same without these important co-workers,” Schilling said. “We look forward to having them back.”
Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides was also pleased to see education support workers returning to schools, saying that the agreements will provide stability for the next three years.
“Congratulations to the school boards and union locals that have worked hard to arrive at fair deals for their staff,” he said. “The Government of Alberta welcomes the return to normalcy for tens of thousands of students, staff and families.” ❚
