Good afternoon Fort McMurray Catholic Schools family,
 

We reach out to you to share the latest information we have regarding a possible labour action from CUPE Local 2559 (CUPE). 
 

CUPE has given us notice that they will withdraw their services (strike) beginning November 13, 2024 at 6am. We understand that this strike action may be rotational in nature (meaning different locations on different days).

While recognizing the right of our support staff to engage in legal work action by striking, we know this action will have an impact on our classrooms and schools. We remain committed to bargaining and working to find a resolution.

The Support Staff of Fort McMurray Catholic Schools includes: Educational Assistants, Custodians, Maintenance Staff, Child Care Services, Indigenous Liaisons, Teacher Assistant Supervisors (TAS), Community Hosts, Courier, Librarians, and Office Administrative Support.

 

Impact on Student Learning and Attendance: 

• Schools Remain Open: Fort McMurray Roman Catholic Separate School Division will remain open. We understand that the absence of these valuable staff members will certainly be noticed and that daily operations will be a challenge. 
• We also acknowledge it is possible not all programming and extra curricular activities will be able to occur in the event of a labour disruption. 
  • A safe, secure, and caring learning and working environment is always our number one priority in Fort McMurray Catholic Schools. Safety, health and security of our students is taken very seriously and will help to guide our decisions. In some cases, if appropriate supports are not available, students will be asked to remain at home.
• Early Entry Program (EEP): Classes will be suspended for the duration of any labour disruption. We strongly believe this is the safest decision for the families of our youngest students. If the strike is rotational in nature we will communicate with families which days EEP Programming would be open and in which Schools.  EEP is an optional program which is not funded by the Province of Alberta. Refunds will be issued to families at the end of the labour disruption. 
• Specialized Programming: Fort McMurray Catholic Schools will be modifying some Specialized Programming for the duration of any possible labour action from CUPE Local 2559.
• The Independent Living Programs (ILP) will be closed during a labour disruption. There will be some availability for programming, this will be communicated with ILP families directly. Contact (emails and phone calls) may not be made until Tuesday due the time of this announcement.
• The Vocational Education Program (Voc Ed:) will remain open, but on a rotational schedule. Some students with exceptional needs that we will not have support for will be asked to stay home. Families will be contacted directly by their school. Contact (emails and phone calls) may not be made until Tuesday due the time of this announcement.
• Students with Exceptional Needs: Schools have identified students in mainstream programming who may have exceptional needs which require specialized supports. We have assessed these needs and have created plans accordingly. For the safety of these students, their fellow students, and the school population some students will be asked to stay home for the entirety, or portions, of a labour disruption. Safety is our guiding principle in making these difficult decisions. Families will be notified directly by their school. Contact (emails and phone calls) may not be made until Tuesday due the time of this announcement.

Before and After School:
 

• Bus Services: All yellow busing services (with the exception of some Specialized Transportation) will continue without interruption. 
• Out of School Care (OSC): All programs will be closed for the duration of the labour disruption. Families will be contacted directly by their OSC program. 
• Drop-off & Pick-up: Families are advised to consider allowing extra time due to potential traffic delays caused by picketing. Designated drop-off areas will be supervised as per our regular procedure. If you have any issues during drop off or pick up due to strike activity please contact your school administration. 
• Extracurricular activities: May be impacted during the strike action. Multi-school competitions may be delayed, rescheduled, or possibly cancelled. School practices and before/after school clubs/activities may continue. 
• After school facility rentals: Joint-Use facilities, such as evening gym activities and rentals, may not be available for the duration of any possible labour disruption. 

Sharing of information:

How will families be notified in the event of any possible updates/changes: Regular updates will be shared by email and on our website and social media. In the event of an urgent matter which requires immediate attention we will also send messages via SMS/text message. Please ensure your contact information is up to date in Edsby.
 

We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates and information through email and our website. If you have questions specific to your child(ren), please contact your child’s school directly.
 

Thank you for your patience and understanding with this matter. We will continue to share updates with staff and all families when information is confirmed and can be shared. 
 

Fort McMurray Catholic Schools