FORT McMURRAY, Alberta — Support staff from the Fort McMurray Catholic and Public School Divisions are set to hold a strike vote in early September.

A letter obtained by Harvard Media News from CUPE Local 2559, which represents support staff at the Catholic schools, states that negotiations with the division have reached an impasse. Despite mediation efforts, the two sides have not been able to reach an agreement, with wages being a major point of contention. The union claims its members earn up to $3 less per hour than their counterparts in the private sector.

Lynn Fleet, President of CUPE Local 2545, representing over 500 support staff at the Fort McMurray Public School Division says removing the current two-tiered pay structure is a key issue among their members. According to Fleet, the tiered wages result in newly hired support staff earning lower wages for the same work. The Union believes this provides an incentive to cut hours for long-term employees.

Bargaining between the CUPE Locals and the Divisions ended on Friday, August 23, 2024, triggering a mandatory two-week cooling-off period. According to the letter, a strike vote is planned for both bargaining units immediately after September 6, 2024. The Presidents of both CUPE Local 2559 and 2545 say they expect a 72 hour strike notice to be issued if the members vote in favour of a strike mandate.

The Presidents of both CUPE locals say members will support each other during this labour dispute, including on the picket-line should a strike occur.