Nearly 400 education support workers from the Parkland School Division began full strike action Tuesday morning, joining 6,000 other CUPE members currently picketing in Edmonton, Calgary, Fort McMurray, Leduc, Thorsby, Sturgeon and the Okotoks region.
READ MORE: Parkland School Division CUPE employees begin job action
Vice President of CUPE Local 5543, Chrissy Nickel, says workers wanted to give the province a chance to address the issues leading to a strike but were disappointed by their lack of concern.
“The purposeful underfunding of education has left classrooms without the support staff they need, directly impacting students—those with complex needs, those in mainstream classes, and those who require additional assistance to understand the curriculum.”
READ MORE: Five Alberta school divisions vote to join CUPE job action
READ MORE: Parkland school support workers serve strike notice
Nickel said the workers will put up picket lines today at the Parkland School Division office.
“We understand the impact this has on students, especially students with special needs,” said Nickel. “However, students are being negatively affected by low wages, high turnover of staff, and vacancies in support positions. A good education requires well-paid, satisfied support staff.”
—
CUPE members from the Parkland School Division say they will be picketing at 4300 43 Street, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. from Wednesday, Feb. 26 to Friday, Feb. 28. CUPE members from Thorsby Elementary and Senior High School say they will be picketing at 5306 48 Avenue, between 7:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
Comments