CUPE Moves to Full Strike Tuesday, February 25th
February 24, 2025 - (9:25pm)
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Families,
Parkland School Division (PSD) would like to provide an important update regarding the current labour action by Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 5543. We received communication at 9:06 PM tonight, February 24, 2025, that CUPE Local 5543 will shift their work-to-rule campaign to a full strike beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, February 25, 2025.
Impact on Student Learning
This move to full strike action will impact school offices, student supports, and many other day-to-day operations within PSD but all schools will remain open. Schools have been actively making contingency plans to mitigate disruptions to students. For many families, learning disruptions will be kept to a minimum. For other families, there may be a need for programming adjustments for safety reasons. Schools will be in contact directly should this be the case.
Impact on Staffing
In the case of schools, this means support staff like educational assistants, secretaries, librarians, therapists, and speech/language assistants will not report to work. At PSD’s Division Office, this includes some computer technicians, some members of the business/finance team, communications department and transportation office staff.
Background
CUPE Local 5543 issued its 72-hour strike notice on Friday, February 14th and began with a work-to-rule campaign that started Tuesday, February 18th. After two additional days of bargaining on February 20th and 21st, CUPE and PSD agreed to continue talks on March 10th and 13th.
On Monday, February 24, 2025, at 9:06 PM, CUPE Local 5543 provided communication to PSD that the work-to-rule campaign will shift to full strike, effective Tuesday, February 25, 2025.
We understand that this situation creates uncertainty and concern. Please be assured that PSD is working diligently to ensure that learning environments remain safe and supportive for all students. Parents with questions about individual circumstances are encouraged to contact their child’s school directly.
Shauna Boyce, Superintendent
Parkland School Division
February 24, 2025 - (5:29pm)
Dear Parents/Guardians,
We want to provide you with the most up-to-date information regarding the ongoing labour situation with CUPE Local 5543.
The CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer publicly stated via Facebook Monday morning that PSD support workers would be joining the picket lines tomorrow, Tuesday, February 25th. Furthermore, we have heard from a number of CUPE Local 5543 members that they have received official notice of full strike action beginning tomorrow morning. We have reached out to the CUPE Local 5543 executive but unfortunately, they have not confirmed or denied this potential escalation in job action. CUPE 5543 has a meeting scheduled with their membership this evening (Monday, February 24th) and has indicated they will only inform us after the conclusion of the meeting. Despite previous assurances that families would receive notice, we recognize the possibility that a decision made by CUPE late tonight could lead to a strike starting as early as tomorrow morning.
We understand the importance of clear and timely communication, and we remain committed to keeping you informed by being as transparent as possible. Families of students whose safety may be impacted by strike action, and who were contacted by their schools on February 14th, should expect to receive further notice from your school administration this evening. Updates to other families will follow once we receive notification from CUPE.
We appreciate your patience and will provide updates as soon as we receive any official information. Please monitor your email and our website for further developments.
Thank you for your anticipated understanding and support.
Sincerely,
Shauna Boyce, Superintendent
Parkland School Division