UPDATE: 6:00 a.m., Thursday, September 12.
Danielle Danis, President of CUPE Local 2559 is confirming to Harvard Media News that both unions will be commencing strike action on Tuesday, September 17.
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FORT MCMURRAY, Alberta — Support staff at Fort McMurray’s Public and Catholic school divisions are preparing for a possible strike after members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) locals 2559 and 2545 approved a strike mandate.
Members of both locals cast ballots throughout September 10th and 11th which were tallied late into Wednesday evening. The vote follows a two-week cooling-off period after mediated contract negotiations failed to break a deadlock between CUPE and both school divisions.
While the vote results are in, they must still be ratified by the Alberta Labour Board, a process expected to take 24 hours. Once completed, CUPE could issue a 72-hour strike notice as early as Friday, resulting in job action that could begin as early as Tuesday, Sept. 17.
The school divisions have informed parents and guardians that schools will remain open in the event of a strike. However, they cautioned that students may be asked to stay home under certain circumstances, and some programming may be disrupted.
CUPE represents support workers, including administrative staff, custodians, teacher assistants, and most substitute teachers.