Workers striking in 9 school divisions reach settlements, ending more than 2 months of labour conflict

Striking educational support workers at the Black Gold School Division have come to a tentative agreement that could put them back in the classroom by Thursday.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) says all its workers on strike in nine Alberta school divisions have reached a tentative agreement to end a labour dispute involving educational support workers.

Workers with the Foothills School Division in High River were the last to have reached a tentative agreement.

Wednesday night, workers with the Black Gold School Division, represented by CUPE Local 3484, settled on a deal, which will be voted on by its 570 members on Wednesday night.

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The union says there won’t be any picket lines on Wednesday and its members will instead be participating in a community clean up.

Members of CUPE Local 4625 within the Sturgeon School Division have also reached a tentative agreement. Voting will open Wednesday morning for over 200 support workers to ratify the agreement.

The union says it expects results by midday Thursday. If members approve, they will return to work on March 31, after spring break.

CUPE says tentative deals have already been reached with Edmonton Public Schools, Parkland School Division, Calgary Board of Education and Calgary Catholic School District.

Two deals, with Fort McMurray Catholic Schools and Fort McMurray Public Schools, have been ratified, ending strikes with both divisions.

CUPE 3550 members at the Edmonton Public School District voted 93 per cent to accept their settlement.

Workers with both groups are expected to return to work on Thursday.