Deal Ratified for PSD and CUPE Local 5543

March 19, 2025 - PSD is pleased to share positive news regarding the recent negotiations between Parkland School Division (PSD) and CUPE Local 5543. The tentative agreement reached between the Division and CUPE has been ratified by both parties.

CUPE Local 5543 members overwhelmingly voted in favor of the agreement demonstrating strong support for the agreement. The Parkland School Division Board of Trustees has unanimously ratified the memorandum of understanding, ensuring stability and continuity for our school division  staff and the students they serve.

At the Special Meeting held on the morning of Wednesday, March 19, 2025, the Board of Trustees passed the following recommendation:

That the Board of Trustees accepts and ratifies the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 5543, Memorandum of Agreement as recommended by the CUPE Labour Relations Committee at the Special Meeting of March 19, 2025.

 

The Board of Trustees is so relieved and grateful that the labour dispute is resolved. Welcome Back!

Both the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 5543 and the Board of Trustees voted to ratify the Collective Agreement on March 19, 2025. This means that Parkland School Division and CUPE Local 5543 staff have an agreed-upon Collective Agreement in place from 2024 to 2028.

The Board is appreciative to so many:

• The students who demonstrated patience as some were in school full time, some were in school part time and some were not in school. This was a very difficult situation.
• The families who experienced an impact of the strike on their children and their family members.
• The CUPE members who followed their hearts throughout these past weeks to follow the course of action that was right for them.
• The teachers who continued to use every strategy available to them and collaborated with colleagues to teach the students in their care.
• The Administrators in the schools who worked incredibly hard to ensure that students continued to receive an education and staff were supported.
• The Parkland School Division Team who worked their way forward in an intentional, mindful, and respectful manner to support the 12,500+ students and 1600 staff.

We are all excited to get back to the buildings, the schools and classes, and, most importantly – those kids! Thank you for kindness and caring, understanding of perspectives as we move forward.

Lorraine Stewart, Board Chair

With this agreement in place, programming, including Early Education classes and other enrichment options such as Nature Kindergarten, will resume as of Thursday, March 20th. Families with children enrolled in these programs can expect a return to normal schedules and programming, and a follow-up email from school principals will arrive shortly, providing further details.

The agreement reached reflects our shared commitment to fostering a positive and collaborative working environment that benefits students, staff, and the entire PSD community. 

PSD would like to extend gratitude to the negotiating teams for their diligence and to all those who played a role in reaching this agreement. We are excited for the return of support staff back into our school and division communities.

Sincerely,

Shauna Boyce, Superintendent
Parkland School Division