Negotiations began more than two-and-a-half years ago: AUPE
Members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) — who work as support staff at Living Waters Catholic Schools in Edson, Slave Lake and Whitecourt, all in Alberta — voted in favour of a mediator’s recommendations for settlement on Oct. 16, ending an 18-day long strike.
“Even when the board refused to budge, these workers stood by their top priorities, including securing more regular work schedules so they could be available for students and to ensure coworkers weren’t understaffed and overworked,” said Rod Feland, AUPE vice-president.
The negotiations began more than two and a half years ago, said the union.
The agreement guarantees regular full-time employees at least the same number of workdays as instructional days for students in a year, ensuring kids and staff are well resourced, according to AUPE.
The mediator’s recommendations also include guaranteed minimum daily hours of work for all classifications, said the union.
Support-staff should now be able to plan their weeks with more ease and come to school knowing they have a more secure source of income, according to AUPE.
