Support workers at Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD) are officially on strike as of Monday, Feb. 25.
According to CCSD website, approximately 350 employees from CUPE Local 520 are on strike. This includes custodial staff, cleaners, plumbers, tradespeople and boiler operators. To confirm, CUPE Local 520 is made up of custodial and maintenance workers only—there are no education support workers in this specific union.
CCSD confirms that no schools will be forced to close due to this strike action, and that it is hiring temporary contractors for boiler and HVAC checks as well as for cleaning and snow removal.
The Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD), which St. Timothy and Holy Spirit in Cochrane are both a part of, was served with a 72-hour strike notice by CUPE Local 520 last Wednesday, February 19. CUPE members include custodial staff, cleaners, plumbers, tradespeople and boiler operators.
The school district has posted information to its website, as follows:
“CCSD will cancel all facility rentals effective Saturday, February 22. Before and after school programs will remain open. Extra-curricular school activities will continue."
“CCSD will continue to engage in negotiations with CUPE in good faith and prays for a peaceful resolution to the matter.”
For more information and updates go to cssd.ab.ca.
-With files from Howard May/ Cochrane Eagle
