Edmonton Public Schools' request for government intervention to halt a potential strike involving approximately, 3200 school support staff has disappointed CUPE Local 3550. CUPE Alberta president Rory Gill thinks the province is forcing employers to continue to come to the table with wages that are simply unacceptable. CUPE 359 members cannot strike and EPS cannot lock them out until the inquiry process ends, which could be up to 30 days.

Educational assistants, who work 35 hours a week, 10 months a year, earn an average of $27,000 a year, which leaves them struggling to pay the bills. This move by EPS and the government leads to next steps (see article below) but I think the overriding factor should be to pay the support staff for the value they provide for our children and schools.

Next in the negotiation line are the custodians, who can strike with 72 hours notice.