Important Update On CUPE Local Strike Vote
February 12, 2025 -
We want to provide parents/guardians with an important update regarding ongoing negotiations between Parkland School Division and CUPE Local 5543, which represents Educational Assistants, library technicians, school office staff, as well as many staff who work in our Division Office. We truly appreciate the incredible staff that support our students in schools every day in various roles as well as many staff who work in our Division Office. They contribute daily as we all work towards our Ultimate Goal of Student Success & Well-being.
On Sunday, February 9th and Monday, February 10th, CUPE Local 5543 held a supervised strike vote. The union’s membership voted in favor of strike action. The union must provide PSD with 72-hours notice if they plan to initiate any strike action and we have not received notice of strike action at this time.
PSD remains committed to working toward a resolution and the offer remains to return to the bargaining table Thursday February 20th and Friday February 21st. It is our sincere hope that progress can be made during future negotiations.
An upcoming strike is a real possibility, however, particularly given that multiple other school divisions in Alberta are currently experiencing strike action or have passed strike votes. We recognize that this may cause some apprehension and uncertainty, particularly for families who have students with complex needs. We want to assure everyone that we are actively planning to support all our students to the best of our ability. There may be adjustments to programming for students who need extra support while at school, and schools will be in contact with these families should a strike action proceed. Parents with questions about individual circumstances are encouraged to reach out directly to their child’s school.
We are committed to keeping all stakeholders informed as the situation evolves. For more, visit the Labour Action Updates page of our website which includes a robust Frequently Asked Question section.
Should a strike be called, schools will communicate any necessary changes to school operations as soon as possible. PSD's priority remains ensuring that students continue to have a safe and supportive learning environment.
We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your school.
Sincerely,
Shauna Boyce, Superintendent
Parkland School Division