Edmonton Public Schools deadlocked in negotiations with educational assistants union

The third week of striking by educational assistants at Edmonton Public Schools is almost over and the union says there’s no end in sight. They say negotiations are deadlocked.

The school board and educational assistants with public schools returned to the bargaining table last Thursday, both sides still unable to strike a deal. Union leaders want significant raises to account for the increased cost of living since the last union agreement ended five years ago. A third-party mediator landed on a 2.75 per cent raise over four years, not nearly enough says the union.

Education support staff in four different areas, including Edmonton, are striking in Alberta right now. The national union boss was in Edmonton on Thursday to show support. He says a dozen more education assistants unions in different Alberta districts could also be striking in the next few weeks. A spokesperson for Alberta’s finance ministry says the union is playing games and not letting its members make decisions, saying quote this is a local matter between the school board and the union.