If the strike vote succeeds, the union claims that Edmonton public school cutbacks might result in "a wage catastrophe"

Edmonton Public Schools are facing a significant challenge as over 4,000 support workers, including educational assistants, librarians, and custodians, could soon vote to go on strike.

This labor dispute is driven by what union leaders describe as a "wage catastrophe," as workers have not received a substantial raise in five years, and are struggling to make ends meet.

Rory Gill, the Alberta president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), explained that many workers cannot support themselves on their current wages, which in turn affects their ability to support students.

The average educational assistant in Edmonton makes around $26,000 a year, while CUPE is pushing for wages to increase to around $40,000 annually.

With the cost of living rising, the Alberta Living Wage Network suggests a living wage in Edmonton should be approximately $45,000 a year for full-time workers, or $22.25 per hour.

If support staff walk out, it could lead to widespread school closures, as CUPE president Rory Gill warned that schools cannot safely operate without these essential workers.

Edmonton Public Schools board chair Julie Kusiek declined to discuss potential plans for managing a strike, but indicated that the board continues to advocate for more education funding from the province.

The situation mirrors recent events in Fort McMurray, where education workers attempted to strike but were forced back to work by provincial legislation.

The Alberta government appointed Disputes Inquiry Boards to mediate in that case, but many, including the NDP and CUPE, argue that the government has failed to adequately fund education and should not intervene in collective bargaining.

The UCP government has stated that school boards are responsible for negotiating with CUPE, while opposition critics argue that the government’s underfunding of education is the root cause of the crisis.

The union and Edmonton Public Schools are currently in a "14-day cooling-off period," after which a vote to strike could occur.

If the government intervenes to force workers back on the job, CUPE has indicated that they may pursue legal action to protect their right to collective bargaining.