Advocacy Group Calls for Resolution of Support Staff Strike Affecting Special Needs Children in Alberta
Fort McMurray, Alberta — A parent advocacy group, Don’t I Matter, is calling for an end to the ongoing strike by support staff in both public and Catholic schools. The group of over 1,000 members representing parents and caregivers of children with special needs, argues that the labour dispute is placing an unfair burden on disabled students.
The strike, led by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), has left many special needs students without the education assistants (EAs) they rely on for support. When support workers are on strike, children with disabilities are told to stay home, and parents are forced to make last-minute arrangements to care for them.
Local parent advocate, Cagney Edwards, a member of the Don’t I Matter group, stated that the strike is just a symptom of a much deeper problem. “Our kids deserve support and access to education,” said Edwards. “This strike is a symptom of a larger issue. Huge Underfunding in Alberta schools making Alberta to the lowest per child spend countrywide.” Edwards said that while the labour dispute plays out, the absence of EAs is leaving vulnerable children unable to attend school, further disrupting their education, routine, and self-esteem.
The situation is compounded by CUPE’s practice of announcing strike locations late into the evening, making it difficult for families to plan. This last-minute notification forces parents to scramble to adjust their work schedules and care arrangements, adding to their stress. Edwards also sees the broader impact, saying, “Parents are left wondering how they will manage, and their children are left questioning, ‘Do I matter?'”
Colleen Tatum, another advocate with Don’t I Matter and former RMWB councillor, expressed frustration with the provincial government, which recently posted a surplus. She questioned why the government is not investing more in the education system to ensure that children, particularly those with special needs, receive the support they deserve. “Why is the province, with its surplus, failing to fund education properly?” Tatum asked. “Special needs children are routinely denied access to education, and it’s unacceptable.”
Tiffany Bennett, a mother of a child with a disability, echoed these sentiments. She stressed that while education assistants deserve fair pay, the ultimate goal is to secure long-term, adequate funding for the education of special needs children. She believes the children deserve more than this disruption. “What we really want is for our schools and children’s support to be properly funded by the province.”
The Don’t I Matter group, which has over 1,000 members, continues to advocate for a resolution to the strike and urges all parties involved to address the underlying issues, including the pressing need for better funding for education and support services for children with disabilities.