More than 6,400 education support workers across Alberta, including over 1,100 from Calgary, are on strike as frustration over low wages and inadequate working conditions reaches a boiling point. The strikes, which began with the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) and Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD) walking off the job, highlight systemic issues within the province’s public education funding.
The Calgary CUPE (Canadian Union of Public Employees) members, primarily custodial and maintenance staff, initiated their walkout on Monday after serving 72-hour strike notices last week. The action has quickly gained momentum, as workers from various divisions are joining the fight for fair wages and improved working conditions. According to CUPE Alberta, as of Monday, there are now 6,420 support workers participating in the strike.
CUPE Local 40, representing about 800 workers at the CBE, and CUPE Local 520, which comprises 350 workers at the CCSD, expressed their intent to press for wage raises amid rising living costs. “The energy is amazing,” said Clay Gordon, president of CUPE Local 40. “Everybody is ready to fight and ready to stand up and show the government we need public education funded properly.”
The urgency of the situation was underscored by Rory Gill, president of CUPE Alberta, who asserted the workers are “tired of poverty-level wages” and pointed out Alberta's status as the province with the lowest education funding levels. “A good education requires well-paid, satisfied support staff,” Gill emphasized, noting many have endured stagnant wages amid rampant inflation.
Backed by 94 percent support from their union memberships for strike action, members marched through downtown Calgary, chanting calls for change. Many expressed personal hardships resulting from their current salary levels, which average around $34,500 per year. Wendy Burke, a long-time CBE worker, lamented: “You shouldn’t have to get loans or go to the food bank when you work for the CBE.”
Lopez, another CBE employee, voiced concerns about job security, adding her struggle as a single mother. “I have to work Monday to Sunday just to cover my necessities,” she pleaded. Yet, she found solidarity among her peers, saying, “We’re doing something to change this.”
Despite the powerful demonstrations, both the CBE and CCSD have committed to keeping schools open during the strike, maintaining contingency plans to sustain daily operations. The Calgary Board of Education announced all schools would remain operational, stating, “Our priority is ensuring good continuity of learning.”
Meanwhile, Premier Danielle Smith responded to criticisms of existing wage structures, claiming the government’s previous settlements were reasonable, and advised CUPE to return to the negotiating table. Smith reiterated the government's commitment to supporting education, stating, “We’ve got great gratitude toward [support workers], but we have to work harder to get to a fair deal.”
While the provincial government continues to face backlash from the union leadership over low wages and high vacancy rates, they argue Alberta's education system can only thrive with adequate funding. With various school divisions across the province preparing for similar actions, it becomes clear the culmination of these strikes points to broader systemic issues facing Alberta's education sector.
Efforts to resolve the dispute remain uncertain as both sides grapple with the pressures of increasingly vocal union members advocating for their rights. CUPE’s Gill has warned, “We warned the province if they didn’t take action, the strike would spread, and today that's coming true.”
The growing impact of these strikes not only raises questions about the immediate future of the province's education support staff but also about the long-term consequences of neglecting educational funding. Without swift action from the Alberta government, the situation may worsen, affecting students and families across the region.
It’s clear the looming education support workers' strike reflects broader issues within Alberta's public education system—one characterized by chronic underfunding and worker dissatisfaction, prompting dramatic calls for change.