Custodial staff at Calgary’s public schools serve strike notice

Paula Tran,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Sanitary workers at the Calgary Board of Education and the Calgary Catholic School District have served 72-hour strike notices and staff may walk off the job Feb. 24.

According to a news release from CUPE, around 800 employees at the CBE and 350 employees at the CCSD will go on strike if a deal hasn’t been reached within 72 hours. Picket lines will be set up at various CBE and CCSD locations during the strike and details will be announced later this week.

This comes after an overwhelming majority voted in favour of a strike earlier this month.

It also comes after education support workers in Edmonton and Fort McMurray went on since January. Around 400 employees of the Parkland School Division also started limited job action on Tuesday.

CUPE Alberta President Rory Gill previously told LWC that workers are facing a wage crisis throughout the province. The union said in Wednesday’s news release that members have been left with no other options but to strike.

“Many of our members work two or three jobs. Many live on the edge of poverty,” Gill said in a statement on Wednesday.

Both the CBE and the CCSD told LWC they were aware of the 72-hour strike notice and potential job action. Schools in both districts will remain open during the strike.

“We will have a contingency plan in place to maintain safety and cleanliness in our schools. CCSD will continue to engage in negotiations in good faith and provide updates as more information becomes available,” a spokesperson for the CCSD said in a statement.

The CBE said it is committed to keeping schools safe for students and staff by cleaning schools after dismissal, which will put them in compliance with AHS guidelines and occupational health and safety regulations.

More details about before and after-school care, activities, and athletics can be found on the CBE’s website.

“We value the contributions of all employees who support student success, and we respect the bargaining process. CBE will continue to bargain in good faith with CUPE Local 40 to bring an end to labour action as soon as possible,” a CBE spokesperson said in an emailed statement to LWC.

Paula Tran,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
LiveWire Calgary