Negotiations Resume in School Support Staff Strike

Fort McMurray, AB – Talks are resuming between striking school support staff and the Fort McMurray Catholic and Public school divisions, offering a potential path forward in a dispute that has disrupted schools for months and forced some children to stay home. This marks the first time the parties have returned to the bargaining table since Alberta’s Disputes Inquiry Board (DIB) failed to resolve the deadlock in November.

CUPE Local 2559, representing Catholic Division support staff, will meet with the division on Friday, January 24. Meanwhile, CUPE Local 2545, representing Public Division staff, will negotiate with their employer on Thursday, January 30. Both divisions have expressed a commitment to reaching a fair resolution and restoring normal operations for students, staff, and families.

Despite hopes for progress, the labour dispute remains unresolved after two failed attempts at mediation. Most recently, the DIB, which was called in last fall, was also unable to bridge the gap between the union and the divisions, citing significant disagreements over wages and working conditions.

The prolonged disruption continues to affect students, particularly those with special needs who rely on support staff.