Support Staff Begin Rotating Strike Across Fort McMurray Schools

FORT MCMURRAY, Alberta— Support staff at the Fort McMurray Public and Catholic School Divisions will begin a rotating strike on Monday, as their contract dispute continues. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Locals 2559 and 2545, representing support staff in the Catholic and Public-school systems respectively, have launched a Facebook page to inform the community about which schools will face disruptions each day.

The strike schedule outlines a week of targeted walkouts at various schools and administrative offices. On Monday, Catholic division staff will strike at Father Mercredi, Elsie Yanik, Sister Mary Philips, and the division’s central office. For the Public division, the picket lines will be set up at Fort McMurray Composite High School, Dave McNeilly, École Dickensfield, and the Public division offices.

Tuesday’s strike action will impact Holy Trinity, St. Paul, St. Gabriel, and Immaculate Heart of Mary schools in the Catholic division. In the Public division, workers will strike at École McTavish, Thickwood Heights, Frank Spragins, Westwood High School, and Westview School.

On Wednesday, Catholic schools affected include Father Beauregard, St. Martha, and Good Shepherd. Greely Road School, the Fort McMurray Islamic School, Christina Gordon, and Beacon Hill will be impacted in the Public division.

Thursday’s strike action will shift to Our Lady of the Rivers, St. Anne, and St. Kateri in the Catholic division. In the Public division, the strike will target Dr. Clark, Timberlea Public, Christina Gordon, and Walter and Gladys Hill schools.

The strike will pause on Friday, with all support staff returning to work across both divisions.

CUPE officials say the rotating strike is designed to minimize disruption for vulnerable and special needs students while still exerting pressure on the school divisions. The approach also allows workers to maintain some income during the labour action.

Negotiations between CUPE and the school divisions have stalled. While both sides say they are willing to return to negotiations, neither is ready to revise their bargaining positions.