The third week of striking by educational assistants at Edmonton Public Schools is almost over and the union says there’s no end in sight.
They say negotiations are deadlocked.
“It is hard work. It is daunting. I’m tired when I go home at night, but it is worth it,” said Donna, a striking educational assistant.
The school board and educational assistants with public schools returned to the bargaining table last Thursday, both sides still unable to strike a deal.
Union leaders want significant raises to account for the increased cost of living since the last union agreement ended five years ago.
A third-party mediator landed on a 2.75 per cent raise over four years, not nearly enough says the union.
Education support staff in four different areas, including Edmonton, are striking in Alberta right now.
The national union boss was in Edmonton on Thursday to show support. He says a dozen more education assistants unions in different Alberta districts could also be striking in the next few weeks.
“This Premier’s got to put her eyes on what’s happening here. Make sure this school board has the resources they need to make sure they can get a contract that works for us and our family,” said Mark Hancock, the president of CUPE National.
A spokesperson for Alberta’s finance ministry says the union is playing games and not letting its members make decisions, saying quote this is a local matter between the school board and the union.
Educational assistants are out and with them gone, students who they support are often not able to go to class.