Title: “Education Support Workers in Edmonton Begin Strike for Equitable Wages”
Written by Aaron Sousa and published on January 13, 2025, this article provides an update on the ongoing strike by education support workers in Edmonton and surrounding areas. The strike was initiated by workers who are demanding equitable wages from the Edmonton Public School Board and Sturgeon Public School Division.
The striking workers include education assistants, cafeteria staff, and administration personnel. According to the Canadian Union of Public Employees, approximately 3,000 staff members are participating in the strike in Edmonton. In the Sturgeon division, located north of the provincial capital, an additional 200 workers are engaged in rotating strike action and a work-to-rule campaign.
Picket lines have been set up outside three high schools in Edmonton and all high schools in the Sturgeon area. One of the protestors, a veteran education assistant named Fran Robertson, expressed her concerns about the dwindling support for their profession over the past nine years. She voiced her hope that the government would increase funding.
Mandy Lameroux, the president of CUPE Local 3550, explained that their members have been without a contract since 2020. On average, an education support worker in Alberta earns $34,500 annually. Finance Minister Nate Horner accused CUPE of misrepresentation, arguing that full-time salaries should not be expected for part-time work spanning 10 months. The Opposition NDP has labelled his comments as derogatory.
The superintendents of both divisions have stated that each school will be differently impacted by the strike. They have advised parents to maintain communication with their school’s principal for updates. Further information on this matter will be provided as it becomes available.
The events unfolding in the education sector in Edmonton and surrounding areas serve as a reminder of the importance of equitably valuing all roles within the education system. The outcome of this strike could have significant implications for education support workers and the students they serve.
Copyright 2025 The Canadian Press
