Days after serving strike notice, hundreds of support workers for Edmonton Catholic schools walked off the job Monday – over wages and workload.
A picket line was formed outside of the downtown Catholic School Board offices on 106 Street and 98 Avenue Monday morning – the union chose to make one picket line, instead of picketing outside of schools.
While obvious signs of a labour dispute are not necessarily visible outside the schools, inside, staff are scrambling to cover the vacancies.
“Of course for schools, that would probably be the office because someone will need to answer the phones and greet anyone that comes in,” Edmonton Catholic schools spokesperson Lori Nagy said. “Of course, the other concern remains with our severely disabled students, because they need constant aide.”
Ahead of the job action, the school board attempted to prepare parents and students – school principals were to contact parents of children with disabilities to discuss options – including having a caretaker or parent attend school with their children.
The school board said there are about 900 students with special needs at Edmonton Catholic schools, who need some assistance – about 40 students with severe disabilities need assistance at all times.
According to the school board, many special needs students did not attend class Monday, but it’s hoped they will Tuesday.
“Consultants have been on the phone all day today, trying to secure some appropriately trained workers for those several special needs students, and they’re doing quite well,” Nagy said.
The job action came after a vote held last Wednesday, where 479 support workers participated, and 277 voted to reject the school board’s contract offer.
There are 916 support staff working for the Edmonton Catholic School Board – the strike includes secretaries, special needs aides, and library workers.
Despite the low turnout for the vote, a spokesperson for the union said he’s confident members are committed.
“It’s something we’d like to increase of course, but we have a mandate from our members and we’re very strong with the support we’ve received from them,” Danny Burrell said. “I’m looking forward to a great turnout today.”
Last week, the union said the strike was called over wages and workload – said the responsibilities for secretaries have increased to the point that some are experiencing health problems, it also said any wage increase that’s been given to teacher’s aides has essentially disappeared, due to cuts to hours.
The school board said last week it would be holding a proposal vote on their newest offer this week, with the supervision of the Labour Relations Board.
All employees can select from seven different voting stations on Tuesday and Wednesday to take part in the vote.
Late last week, the board presented another contract offer, but it was rejected by the bargaining committee, and did not go to a vote.
With files from Susan Amerongen
