Inquiry Boards Prepare Reports After Talks Fail to Resolve School Division Labor Disputes

FORT MCMURRAY, Alberta — Dispute Inquiry Boards are preparing reports for Alberta’s Ministry of Labour after talks aimed at resolving labor disputes between support workers and both Catholic and Public school divisions failed this week.

On Tuesday, an inquiry board met with the Public School Division and support workers represented by CUPE Local 2545. A second board met with the Catholic division and CUPE Local 2559 on Wednesday. Despite the mediated talks, no agreements were reached in either case.

The Ministry of Labour will now recommend contracts, which can be rejected by either the divisions or the unions.

“We expect to schedule a vote on any recommendations sometime during the week of Oct. 16,” said CUPE Local 2559 President, Danielle Danis. “If the recommendations are rejected, the unions plan to issue another 72-hour strike notice.”

The labour disputes come amid ongoing efforts to secure fair contracts for school support staff, with both sides at an impasse despite mediation. The Ministry’s recommendations could play a crucial role in shaping whether or not strike action takes place this fall.