(FORT MCMURRAY, AB - October 16, 2024) - The Fort McMurray Roman Catholic Separate School Division remains committed to working collaboratively with CUPE Local 2559 to reach an agreement in our negotiations. 

Fort McMurray Catholic Schools will be conducting a fulsome review of the recommendations of the Disputes Inquiry Board. 

For reference we are sharing below the summary of the recommendations of the Disputes Inquiry Board.
 

Summary of Disputes Inquiry Board Recommendations and Comments: 
 

“The parties have already agreed on a number of changes to the Collective Agreement including an expiry date of August 31, 2024. In addition to those changes, with respect to the matters in dispute, I recommend that the Union and the Employer accept the following changes: 
 

1. Noon Hour Supervision 
 

I recommend that the Employer’s revised offer on this issue should be accepted. The language would be as follows: 

17.7.1 Supervision Honorarium 

Effective September 1, 2024, Elementary School-based EA2’s and EA3’s who are regularly assigned to provide relief supervision for students who are normally supervised by EA4’s will be granted an annual honorarium of $175. The honorarium is to be administered on a pro-rata basis based on an annual FTE of the employee. Employees on leave are not eligible for this benefit. 
 

2. Personal Leave 

I recommend that the Union’s last offer on the issue be accepted by the parties. The number of paid personal days referenced in Article 22.5 (a) would increase from 2 to 3 and the number of additional days of unpaid personal leave days referenced in Article 22.5(b) would be reduced from 3 to 2 to keep the total number of personal leave days at 5. 

A new provision would be added to Article 22.5: “Employees may carry over one (1) paid personal day to the next school year.” 

3. Health Spending Account 

The amount in Article 24.8 should be increased from $600 annual credits to $700 annual credits. 
 

4. Swim Program 
 

The Union’s last proposal on this issue should be accepted so that Article 27.3 would read: 

When an employee is required to participate in a swim program as part of their regular duties, the Employer shall reimburse the employee for the cost of aquatic gear required for the program, per school year to a maximum of one hundred and twenty-five dollars ($125), upon submission of a receipt. Regular duties will be the working conditions or special qualifications indicated as per the job description on placement day and as confirmed and approved by their supervisor. 
 

5. Wage Increases 
 

I recommend that: 
 

• Effective February 1, 2024:    2.75 % increase 

• Effective August 31, 2024:     .75 % increase 

• Total: 3.5 % increase 

Retroactivity should be paid to all employees in the bargaining unit who are employed by the School District on the date the Collective Agreement is fully ratified. 

I don’t recommend any other changes to the Collective Agreement with respect to the matters in dispute.” 

We wish to assure our families, and the public as a whole, that we are continuing to update and revise contingency plans in the event a withdrawal of labour services from CUPE Local 2559 occurs. Fort McMurray Catholic Schools continues to share important information in as timely a manner as possible with families through email, text/sms message, and on our website. 

Fort McMurray Catholic Schools wishes to thank our families and staff for their grace, patience, and compassion as we work through this labour negotiation.