Calgary school support workers to vote on strike action

Education support workers at some Calgary schools will be heading to the polls this week for a strike vote.

CUPE (Canadian Union of Public Employees) Alberta says employees at five school districts in the province are among those set to vote Monday and Tuesday.

This includes those employed by the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) and Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD).

CUPE Alberta president Rory Gill says striking is a last resort.

“Our members do not wish to strike,” he said. “But many feel they have no other option in the face of poverty level wages, shrinking classroom resources, and a provincial government that refuses to act.”

This comes as a strike by support staff in Edmonton Public Schools passes the one-month mark.

Employees in Fort McMurray are also currently on strike.