EDMONTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPPORT STAFF AND CUSTODIANS HOLD STRIKE VOTES THIS WEEK

CUPE Local 3550 representing 3,152 members mainly comprised of educational assistants and support staff will hold an online strike vote on Wednesday. CUPE Local 474 representing 950 custodial staff will be holding their strike vote in-person on Thursday and next Sunday.

CUPE Local 3550 president Mandy Lamoureux said holding wages to the province’s cap of 2.75 per cent which works out to 70 cents over four years is “not enough”. CUPE Local 474 said it anticipates the same offer to extend the length of the contract made to Local 3550 when it returns to the bargaining table.

A strike by CUPE Local 3550 members would be disruptive but a strike by CUPE Local 474 members would probably shut down the schools.

Next up will be negotiations with Edmonton Public Schools' teachers.