Fort McMurray School Support Staff Could Go on Strike if They Reject Dispute Inquiry Board Recommendations
The Fort McMurray school support staff may be facing a potential strike if they vote against the recommendations made by the Dispute Inquiry Board. The board was established to help resolve the ongoing dispute between the school support staff and the Fort McMurray Public School District.
The dispute centers around the collective agreement negotiations between the two parties. The school support staff, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 2545, have been without a contract since August 2018. They have been in negotiations with the school district for over two years, but have been unable to reach a satisfactory agreement.
In an effort to resolve the dispute, the Alberta Labour Relations Board appointed a Dispute Inquiry Board in October 2020. The board was tasked with reviewing the issues and making recommendations to help the two parties reach a collective agreement.
After months of deliberation, the board released its recommendations on December 18, 2020. The recommendations include a wage increase of 1.5% for the first year of the contract, followed by a 2% increase for the second and third years. The board also recommended changes to the sick leave and vacation entitlements for the school support staff.
However, the school support staff have expressed their dissatisfaction with the recommendations. They argue that the wage increase is not enough to keep up with the rising cost of living in Fort McMurray. They also have concerns about the changes to their sick leave and vacation entitlements.
The school support staff will have until January 8, 2021 to vote on whether to accept or reject the recommendations. If they vote against the recommendations, they will be in a legal strike position. This means they could potentially go on strike if a new collective agreement is not reached.
In response to the potential strike, the Fort McMurray Public School District has stated that they are committed to reaching a fair and reasonable collective agreement with the school support staff. They have also expressed their hope that the recommendations made by the Dispute Inquiry Board will be accepted by both parties.
The school support staff play a crucial role in the education system and their contributions should not be undervalued. It is important for both parties to continue negotiating in good faith and reach a collective agreement that is fair and satisfactory for all involved.
In the meantime, parents and students in Fort McMurray will be closely watching the outcome of the vote and hoping for a resolution that will not disrupt their education.
