Alberta school boards ratify settlements with unionized support workers

A union representing more than 4,000 school support workers in Alberta says members have ratified collective agreements with two Fort McMurray school districts Monday, ending a two-month strike.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees says workers at both the Fort McMurray Public and Fort McMurray Catholic school districts are set to return to their duties on Wednesday. The union said Saturday it had reached tentative deals with the public and Catholic school boards in Fort McMurray and with the Edmonton Public School Board, noting a ratification by the Edmonton workers would occur Monday or Tuesday.

Union president Rory Gill has said all three deals include pay increases and would be valid through August 2028. The new contracts do not cover the thousands also on strike from the Calgary, Sturgeon, Parkland, Foothills and Black Gold school divisions. Gill said after the agreements were reached Saturday that those locals will be rushing back to the negotiating table to reach a deal.