Doing What’s Best for Kids
Register Now

Labour Action Updates

Our Division

Our support staff are an integral part of Fort McMurray Public Schools, and their contributions are critical to the success of our students, families and staff. We recognize the immeasurable value they add to our school communities.

We remain dedicated to negotiating an agreement that preserves and upholds the current essential educational supports and services for students and ensures that no reductions are necessary.

Fort McMurray Public School Division has been working with CUPE Local 2545 since 2021 to reach a new collective agreement. We have engaged in mediation and presented a formal offer that includes wage increases for both the 2020–2024 and 2024–2028 terms.

Recent events

  • June 11, 2021: The parties agreed to extend the bargaining timelines, with initial proposals exchanged electronically in the fall.
  • August 31, 2021: The collective agreement expired.
  • January 23, 2024: Bargaining committees met, tabling proposals with 81 items and signing off on some minor items.
  • March 11, 2024: The second meeting addressed wages, proposing a new grid for new hires only. CUPE stated that it was unwilling to negotiate this new grid and terminated bargaining to apply for mediation.
  • August 20, 2024: Mediation took place but ended without progress as CUPE did not engage in discussions on settlement terms under the proposed "new employee" wage grid.
  • August 23, 2024: The mediator advised the Minister of Labour that the parties were too far apart, initiating a 14-day 'cooling-off period' on August 24, 2024.
  • September 10 & 11, 2024: CUPE held a strike vote and served strike notice effective September 17, 2024.
  • September 16, 2024: A Disputes Inquiry Board was established to facilitate resolution efforts.
  • September 24, 2024: The Disputes Inquiry Board met with all parties, with the report received on October 15, 2024.
  • October 16, 2024: The recommendations put forth by the Dispute Inquiry Board were rejected by CUPE.
  • November 7, 2024: CUPE serves a formal strike notice to FMPSD indicating periodically withdrawing services starting November 13, 2024.
  • November 13, 2024: CUPE begins periodically withdrawing services (rolling strikes).
  • January 5, 2025: CUPE indicates that they will begin a full withdrawal of services (full strike) starting January 7, 2025.
  • January 7, 2025: CUPE begins a full strike.
  • January 30, 2025: FMPSD and CUPE Local 2545 returned to the bargaining table with a new proposal from FMPSD; CUPE terminated bargaining.

CUPE’s Request:

CUPE has requested a retroactive $6/hour wage increase, estimated to cost the Division $7.8 million. Such an increase would significantly impact staffing and class sizes; $7.8 million equates to about 76 of our 404 teaching positions. Going forward, this would increase annual wages and benefits by about $3.4 million annually. This is not financially feasible under the current funding model shared by all Alberta school divisions.

Employer’s Proposal:

FMPSD proposed to green circle current employees, offering them the same percentage raise accepted by 90% of other support staff agreements across the province. New employees would be placed on a new grid, recognizing certifications, education, and experience.

Fort McMurray Public School Division remains dedicated to fair negotiations and a viable resolution supporting our employees and the students we serve. We are committed to providing ongoing updates through email and our website.

The Disputes Inquiry Board (DIB) recommendations and comments are as follows:

“The parties have already agreed on a number of changes to the Collective Agreement including an expiry date of August 31, 2024. In addition to those changes, with respect to the matters in dispute, I recommend that the Union and the Employer accept the following changes”

2. Shift differentials: the shift differentials should be increased to the following amounts in Article 16.08:

  • Afternoon shift: $1 per hour.
  • Night shift: $1.50 per hour
  • Weekend shift: 75 cents per hour

2. General Holidays: the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation should be added to the list of named General Holidays in Article 18:01 of the Collective Agreement.

2. Wage Increases:

  • Effective February 1, 2024: 2.75 % increase
  • Effective August 31, 2024: .75 % increase
  • Total: 3.5 % increase.

As stated above, 90% (55 of 61) of Alberta school division support staff local unions have settled for 2020-24. All of these settlements featured the same 2.75% increase which has been turned down in Ft. McMurray. That agreement ended six months ago. The employees in 37 of the 55 settled school divisions are represented by CUPE. They are now negotiating collective agreements which commenced Sept. 1, 2024 and which could extend out to August 31, 2028.

On November 13, 2024, support staff began rotational strikes; support staff began a full withdrawal of all services on January 7, 2025. FMPSD recently returned with CUPE Local 2545 to the bargaining table on Thursday, January 30, but a resolution could not be reached. Negotiations are ongoing.

Key Areas of Potential Impact

  • Schools Remain Open: Despite the strike, it is our intent to operate our schools as usual. K-12 Classes will be held, and students are expected to attend.

  • Early Childhood Development Program (ECDP): Classes will be suspended until after the strike. This is because we will need ECDP teachers to act as Teachers on Call for Teacher absences while TAS staff is on strike. You will be reimbursed for your fees on a prorated basis after the strike ends.

  • Students with Complex Needs: We will activate our plan from September where your school Principal notified you if your child must stay home. Students requiring additional care or medical assistance, for example, will remain home during the strike. This is in the best interest of the students, not only for their safety but also for their self-esteem, sense of belonging and emotional health.

  • Extracurricular Activities: Will be impacted during the strike. School practices and before/after school clubs/activities may continue at Principal's Discretion with ATA staff supervision. Weekend tournaments may continue. Sports trips out of town may continue.

  • Busing Services: All busing services will continue without interruption. Your children can rely on their usual bus routes and schedules.

Picket lines may make roads more congested at drop-off and pick-up times. Be extra aware of pedestrians if there is a picket line at your school.

Picketing may not occur on Division property and must remain outside the perimeters of the school grounds/Division property. A legal picket line should be peaceful and serve only to impede access to a building, not to deny access, not to threaten, harass, or injure those who need to access the school/building. Individuals wishing to cross a picket line should calmly tell picketers that they have a right to enter the facility and ask the picketer to allow them access. A picket line that results in denial of access to Division property, or is threatening or non-peaceful, or that occurs on Division property, is not a legal picket line. If you observe any of these illegal activities, including any violence, intimidation, or threats, immediately contact 911. 

Employee Labour Relations Support Program

New supports are in place to help unionized employees, or employees that may become part of a union, better understand and exercise their rights.

A number of staff members have approached us to seek clarification on information provided by CUPE. Specifically, staff have been questioning their rights during a legal strike and raising concerns about the penalties and fines CUPE has referenced for staff members not wishing to take part in the strike. To provide employees with as much information as possible, we have compiled key questions and answers. This page will be updated periodically, check back for more information:

1. Is it legal to cross a picket line and return to work with the employer?

  • Yes. Employees can decide to return to work at any time. There is no law or legal requirement that prevents an employee from crossing a picket line and engaging in work with the employer during a strike.

2. Will I lose my job once the strike is over if I cross the picket line because the union says I will no longer be ‘in good standing’?

  • No. You will not lose your job if you cross the picket line, but the Union may discourage you from working by threatening fines or imposing discipline.
  • CUPE is prohibited by law from doing anything that would affect your employment, security and your promotional opportunities if you decide to work.

3. Can a union impose a fine or punish its members?

  • We expect that CUPE’s constitution allows for fines. If you are not a member of CUPE, you are in no way bound by their constitution and no action of any kind purporting to fine you can be taken.
  • CUPE cannot collect fines. This position has been made clear in a variety of cases across Canada. So what this practically means, is that they can “fine” you, but they have no way to collect that fine.

4. The Union has told us that anyone who crosses the picket line will have their union dues deducted and the union will use that information to identify picket line crossers. Is that the case?

  • No, the Employer will not deduct union dues from the pay of employees who decide to cross the picket line and work for us.

What is a CUPE strike?

  • A CUPE strike involves employees represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) stopping work to negotiate changes to their collective agreement. In the case of schools, this means support staff like educational assistants, custodians, and secretaries may be on strike.

How long will the strike last?

  • It's impossible to predict the duration of a strike. Both the union and the school board will work towards a resolution as quickly as possible.

Will my child still be able to attend school?

  • Yes. Schools will remain open at this time for K-12.
  • ECDP classes are suspended temporarily during the strike.
  • We will prioritize the safety and well-being of all students.

What if my child has complex needs?

  • We understand the unique needs of students with complex needs. We will assess the needs and create a plan accordingly. Some students may be required to remain at home until the strike ends.

What about school transportation?

  • Bus services will proceed as usual.

How will I be notified about school closures or changes?

  • We will use multiple communication channels, including email and social media. Please ensure your contact information is up-to-date.
  • We will also post updates on our school websites.

Where can I find more information?

  • You can also contact the school directly for specific questions.

We understand that this strike will have an impact on schools and student learning. It is our collective goal to have learning continue in the best way possible given our circumstances, and we are actively working towards a resolution to this job action.

Schools have contingency plans to ensure that learning continues and we are working diligently to support the safety of students. For the majority of students, learning will remain in-person.

Schools have already been in contact with the families of students who may be moving to at-home learning to support safety. If you have questions about your individual circumstances, contact your child’s school.

The support staff group includes:

  • administrative assistants
  • administrative assistant mentors
  • clerks
  • educational assistants
  • educational assistant mentors
  • interpreters
  • library technicians
  • speech-language pathology assistants
  • supply educational assistants
  • technicians

Letters from the Superintendent