(Fort McMurray, AB - Jan 30th, 2025) CUPE Local 2545 and Fort McMurray Public School Division returned to the bargaining table today to continue negotiations.
Since November 13, 2024, ongoing job action in Fort McMurray Public Schools has disrupted students’ education and left staff without pay that cannot be recovered.
We think it is important that you know that 99% of public sector negotiations during the 2021-2024 settlement period, including 60 of the 67 agreements within the education sector, have settled for a 2.5% to 3% increase. These settlements also include 34 other CUPE Locals from throughout the province who agreed the same increases. CUPE should explain why its members are going without pay when members of its other unions have already accepted, and received these increases.
We would like to secure a deal with the union until 2028. We believe that both sides should focus on a long-term agreement that provides fair and competitive salary increases. This is particularly important as global economic factors, including risks to our local oil sands industry, is uncertain.
Today, we offered the Union:
- 13.75% increase in salary to 2028
- Current employees would get a 5.75% increase now and a guaranteed 8% increase in the future
- A new wage grid for new employees based on experience and education
- If a current employee sees an increase in the new grid in their job title, they can choose to move to new grid which would take into account their education.
- If a current employee sees an increase in the new grid in their job title, they can choose to move to new grid which would take into account their education.
- Shift differential rate increase will almost double
- Vacation entitlement in the first year of employment increases from 0 to 10 days
CUPE is asking for a retroactive $6/hour wage increase, estimated to cost the Division $7.8 million. $7.8 million equates to about 76 of our 404 teaching positions. If CUPE continues to insist that its members live on strike pay while pursuing salary expectations that far exceed the Division’s ability to pay, there has to be significant cuts in staffing.
We appreciate the hard work and dedication of all our staff. We had hoped to move forward with an agreement that included fair and meaningful salary increases, especially given the economic uncertainty affecting our local oil sands industry and beyond. We remain committed to working towards a fair agreement and hope we can still find a resolution that supports our staff and our schools' long-term stability.
For further information or inquiries, please contact:
Office of the Superintendent
Fort McMurray Public School Division
780-788-8009
info@fmpsd.ab.ca