Educational support workers at Edmonton Public Schools to hold strike votes this week
Educational support staff at Edmonton Public Schools will hold strike votes over the coming days.
Voting began at 6 a.m. for members of CUPE Local 3550 as part of a one-day virtual strike vote.
The union and Edmonton Public Schools were at the bargaining table on Tuesday and CUPE said the employer made a verbal offer to extend the contract from four to eight years, but nothing had changed about its position to hold wages to the provincial government's cap of 2.75 per cent over the first four years.
"That’s about 70 cents over four years," said CUPE Local 3550 president Mandy Lamoureux in a news release. "It’s not enough."
The union says the wage rate proposed for the additional four years is not sufficient to fix the gap in wages that has developed over the last 10 years.
"We know our membership needs to see more, given the years of rising cost-of-living, increasing workloads, and understaffing they’ve been enduring. Our bargaining committee is very committed to achieving a fair deal," said Lamoureux.
CUPE Local 474, which represents custodial staff, was also invited back to the bargaining table ahead of its in-person strike vote on Oct. 17 and 20.
The union anticipates it will receive the same offer that was extended to members of Local 3550.
"The overwhelming issue is wages having fallen so far behind," Local 474 president Barry Benoit said.
"Members are also concerned our benefits are at a lower level than any other staff group in Edmonton Public Schools."
"The provincial government needs to recognize that their mandated wage caps aren’t acceptable, and they need to recognize it very quickly if they want to avoid a strike in Edmonton Public schools," CUPE Alberta president Rory Gill said.
More to come…
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada needs to learn from the COVID-19 pandemic: just-released report
An expert panel of doctors and researchers say Canada needs to learn from the COVID-19 pandemic and take action before the next health emergency strikes.
Child Care Benefit upcoming payment: What families need to know
The next payment for the Canada Child Benefit is set to land in bank accounts this Friday, according to the Canada Revenue Agency
Secret tomb found under 'Indiana Jones' filming location in Petra
At the heart of the ancient city of Petra, Jordan, carved into pink sandstone cliffs, lies an elaborate monument known as the Khaznah, or the Treasury. And buried beneath that edifice, archaeologists recently discovered, is a tomb with at least 12 human skeletons and artifacts that are estimated to be at least 2,000 years old.
Air India passengers get a lift from RCAF after bomb scare forces landing in Nunavut
More than 200 Air India passengers should be on the ground in Chicago this morning after their flight was diverted to Nunavut due to a bomb threat.
Canadian soldier dies while off-duty in Latvia
Latvian State Police are investigating the death of Capt. Aaron Wideman, a Canadian soldier in the capital city of Riga.
WATCH LIVE PM Justin Trudeau testifies at foreign interference inquiry
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is testifying today, for the second time, as part of the federal inquiry into foreign interference.
Can these ultra-exclusive luxury destinations help extend your life? They'd certainly like to try
Life extension might be a lofty — and dubious — pitch, but it’s a common theme among new social and wellness clubs, opulent high rises and private retreats.
$65-million Lotto Max jackpot ticket sold in Toronto
Check your pockets: the winning ticket for Tuesday night’s $65-million Lotto Max jackpot was sold in Toronto.
OPINION King Charles shrieked at shrink wrap, new biography reveals
From his shrink wrap shock to his obsession with luxury, King Charles III's personal life seems to be filled with surprises, that’s according to a new book by biographer Tom Bower.