About 250 employees participating in labour action
As many as 250 education support workers represented by SEIU-West in Saskatchewan are on strike.
The union represents education assistants, library technicians, custodians, kitchen and cafeteria staff, bus drivers, maintenance employees and journeypersons in more than a dozen rural communities.
“We know that the students and their parents appreciate and benefit from the diverse roles of those who work in education support,” said SEIU-West president Barbara Cape.
“However, it does not appear that the board acknowledges these significant day-to-day interactions and their worth in a creating positive learning environment. Why else would they insist upon an offer that is not in keeping with provincial cost of living?”
According to the union, the employer’s offer was an increase of two per cent.
The union further reported its attempts to return to the bargaining table were rejected after the recent conciliation process between the parties failed to achieve an agreement.
Members gathered to picket at the office of the South East Cornerstone School Division in Weyburn, Sask., on April 23.
