Hundreds of Sturgeon Public school support workers are at the polls today to vote on a proposed settlement to their months-long strike.
About 225 educational assistants and other school support workers with CUPE Local 4625 are voting today (March 20) on a proposed settlement to their labour dispute with the Sturgeon Public School Division.
The workers went on strike on Jan. 13, 2025, following a pay dispute with the board, joining thousands of others in Edmonton and Fort McMurray. Similar strikes in Calgary, Parkland County, Leduc County, and High River followed.
Local 4625 president Kelly Salisbury said negotiators hammered out a deal to end the Sturgeon Public strike after about 13.5 hours of talks on March 18. She presented the deal to union members on the morning of the 19th; they now had 24 hours to vote on it.
While she couldn’t reveal the full details of the settlement, Salisbury said it was similar to ones proposed in Edmonton, Calgary, and Parkland and Leduc counties.
“It might help our members to maybe not have to work two jobs.”
Salisbury said union members were exhausted after two months on the picket lines and seemed happy with the deal.
“We’re just looking forward to getting back with the kids we work with.”
Results of the vote should be tabulated by noon on March 20, Salisbury said. If the union supports the deal, Sturgeon Public trustees would vote on it later that afternoon. If the board also backs the settlement, support staff would head back to work at Sturgeon Public on March 31, 2025, following spring break.
