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Labour action updates

We value the hard work and dedication of support staff. They are integral members of school communities, and we appreciate everything they do to support student success.

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What's happening now?

The vote of CUPE Local 3550 members and the Board of Trustees to ratify a deal was successful. This brings an end to the strike.

We look forward to welcoming support staff back to their worksites on Thursday, March 20.

Read the Superintendent’s March 19 letter to families, below.

Letters from the Superintendent

Timeline

Background

Edmonton Public Schools has been working with CUPE Local 3550 since 2022 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

Read letters from the Superintendent for additional information.

March 19, 2025

  • CUPE Local 3550 members and the Board of Trustees reach a ratified agreement.
  • Support staff will be welcomed back to their worksites on Thursday, March 20.

March 16, 2025

  • The Division and CUPE Local 3550 reach a tentative agreement.

March 14, 2025

  • Active negotiations continue.

March 7, 2025

  • The Division and CUPE Local 3350 agree to return to the bargaining table on March 11 and 12.

February 26, 2025

  • The Government of Alberta shares an updated Ministerial Order with the Division, which directs us to reassess our contingency plans and safely return students to in-person learning, where possible. There are no timelines in the order.

February 25, 2025

February 20, 2025

  • The Court of King’s Bench overturns the Ministerial Order and gives the Minister of Education until February 27 to consider a new order. The Minister will be able to ask for more time.

February 14, 2025

  • The Court of King’s Bench hears an application from four families who want the court to overturn a Ministerial Order that allows some students to learn from home during the strike.

February 4, 2025

  • Additional bargaining sessions fail to reach an agreement.

January 28, 2025

  • The Division and CUPE Local 3550 are unable to reach an agreement. 

January 23, 2025

  • Edmonton Public Schools and CUPE Local 3550 return to the bargaining table.

January 13, 2025

  • Strike begins.

January 9, 2025

  • CUPE Local 3550 gives 72-hour strike notice.

December 20, 2024

  • The Division is advised of the results of the CUPE Local 3550 staff vote, which rejected the Recommendations of the Disputes Inquiry Board.

December 17–19, 2024

  • CUPE Local 3550 Executive rejects the recommendations of the Disputes Inquiry Board.
  • Following their rejection, the Alberta Labour Board holds a vote of the CUPE Local 3550 members, who also reject the recommendations. 

November 26, 2024

  • Edmonton Public Schools and CUPE Local 3550 are presented with the Recommendations of the Disputes Inquiry Board.

November 5, 2024

  • CUPE Local 3550 starts holding informational picket lines every Wednesday. Staff participating in the picket lines continue to report to work.

October 24, 2024

  • Schools support learning as many CUPE Local 3550 members attend a rally at the Alberta Legislature.

October 22, 2024

October 21, 2024

October 18, 2024

  • CUPE Local 3550 gives 72-hour strike notice.

October 16, 2024

  • CUPE Local 3550 holds a strike vote.

Positions impacted

The support staff group includes:

  • administrative assistants
  • administrative assistant mentors
  • clerks
  • educational assistants
  • educational assistant mentors
  • food preparers
  • interpreters
  • library technicians
  • licensed practical nurses
  • speech language pathology assistants
  • supply educational assistants
  • technicians