Job Action Updates

ALL FORT MCMURRAY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS REOPENED TO STUDENTS WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 29, 2025

The Alberta Teachers Association (ATA) began a strike action on Monday October 6, 2025. The Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) began a lockout on the afternoon of October 9, 2025. 

• A lockout and a strike are different actions within the collective bargaining process. A strike is initiated by employees, while a lockout is initiated by the employer. Both are legal steps intended to support continued progress toward an agreement.

ALL FORT MCMURRAY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS REOPENED TO STUDENTS WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 29, 2025

ALL FORT MCMURRAY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WERE CLOSED TO STUDENTS for the duration of job action.

Families will be notified via email, text message (if urgent), Edsby, and our website, as quickly as possible when announcements are made in relation to possible job action that would close school to students.

• On October 6, 2025 TEBA served the ATA with a 72 hour lockout notice effective October 9, 2025.
• • A lockout and a strike are different actions within the collective bargaining process. A strike is initiated by employees, while a lockout is initiated by the employer. Both are legal steps intended to support continued progress toward an agreement.
• ATA members began their strike action on October 6, 2025. All Fort McMurray Catholic Schools will remain closed to students for the duration of a work stoppage.
• ATA members voted from September 27-29, 2025 and formally rejected the terms of the tentative agreement. This means the strike notice for October 6, 2025 remains valid.
• A tentative agreement was announced between the ATA and TEBA on September 24, 2025.
• The ATA issued a formal strike notice on September 12, 2025 with strike action to begin on October 6, 2025 if no deal is made before that time.
• There were negotiation sessions the last week of August (August 26 & 27). 
• The Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) conducted a lockout poll (August 29, 2025).  
• • This gives TEBA the legal authority to lock out employees, with a minimum of 72 hours’ notice.
• Members of the ATA completed a strike vote in June (June 5-8, 2025) and are currently in a legal position to strike. 
• • If a strike were to happen, a minimum notice period of 72 hours must be given.
• May 2-5, 2025- ATA conducted a vote on the mediator’s recommendations. Members rejected the recommendations.
• March 2025 - A mediator issued recommended settlement terms. 
• January 2025 - Negotiations between TEBA and the ATA went to mediation
• August 2024 - The collective agreement between TEBA and the ATA expired. 

Any strike or lockout notice would provide, at minimum, 72 hours notice before the commencement of any strike or lock out. 

Should any notice of labour action be given and/or labour action commence, Fort McMurray Catholic Schools will communicate directly to families. 

When examining applicable legislation there is no explicit provision that requires schools to close in the event of teachers fully withdrawing their services, however; 

• Without teaching staff and school leadership teams, it is our position that we cannot operate a safe, secure, and caring learning environment. 
• We do not feel we would be able to fulfil our obligation for adequate supervision or instruction of all students. 
• • In the event of a strike or lockout, all Fort McMurray Catholic Schools will be closed to students.
• Out of School Care (OSC) Programs will be open and could have increased hours. OSC families will hear directly from the Program Manager. 

All certificated teaching staff, including school-based leadership teams such as principals and vice principals, are members of the ATA.

In Alberta, teacher bargaining takes place at two levels:

• Central Bargaining (currently underway) occurs at the provincial level and addresses broad, province-wide matters, such as salary and general working conditions. This is the process that is occurring now. 
• The parties involved at this stage include the ATA’s Central Table Bargaining Committee (CTBC) and the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA).
• Bargaining at a local level occurs following the Central Bargaining process.