Support workers in the K-12 school system throughout B.C., covered by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) have voted to strike in almost all of the 57 K-12 locals, in 53 school districts.
Going without a wage increase since 2009, the 27,000 CUPE education workers say they remain hopeful for funded settlements that would see similar agreements that were achieved for other public sector employees.
"CUPE education workers want a fair settlement with the provincial government," said Colin Pawson, president of CUPE Local 1091 in Delta and chair of the CUPE BC K-12 Presidents' Council. "Without any adjustment of wages for more than four years, it is time the people who keep our children's schools working are respected."
CUPE education workers include education assistants, clerical staff, trades, aboriginal workers, youth and family workers, custodians and bus drivers.
On Monday, June 24, a small job action was taken by some of the nearly 200 School District No. 46 support staff workers as they walked the picket line that day in front of Elphinstone Secondary School.
Local CUPE 801 representative Carolyn Smith said the job action was taken in order to hold the strike vote over the summer and to exercise the strike mandate.
The main issues for all CUPE K-12 locals in B.C. are job security and wages.
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