FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. — Support staff in the Fort McMurray Public and Catholic school divisions will return to the picket lines Tuesday, marking the first day of rotating strikes since December 9. As a result, schools and division offices will be without CUPE members for the day.
Union members will be picketing outside Dr. Clark Public School and Our Lady of the Rivers Catholic School, with an additional event planned in the afternoon at the Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre to support families affected by the ongoing job action.
CUPE has confirmed there will be no further strike action on Wednesday, December 18, or Thursday, December 19. Students are off for Christmas break from December 20 to January 5.
On Monday, CUPE issued an apology for failing to notify parents and families about Monday’s strike until late Sunday night, with the announcement not posted until 11:18 p.m. The delayed notice drew public criticism, particularly from parents of special needs children who require the presence of support staff for their children to attend school.
Parents have consistently raised concerns about the lack of advanced notice, which often leaves them scrambling to arrange alternative care, accommodations, or time off work at the last minute. CUPE described the oversight as unintentional and acknowledged the additional strain it caused for families.