Calgary high school students walk out to support striking education workers
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on March 7, 2025.
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com Students attending a Calgary high school located in the city’s southwest walked out of class Wednesday afternoon to support approximately 800 custodial and maintenance staff from CUPE local 40 who have been on strike since Feb. 24. As Lord Beaverbrook students walked out of their afternoon classes, union representatives said ongoing strikes have impacted students and schools and they welcome the support. “Students are being negatively affected by low wages, high turnover of staff and vacancies in support positions,” said Clay Gordon, president local 40. “A good education system requires well paid, satisfied support staff.” Currently more than 6,600 education support workers at nine school districts across the province are on strike. The Alberta Teachers Association says new implementations from schools rotating in-person and online learning during the strike is “disruptive.” “Switching between in-person and online instruction disrupts student learning, this approach is not a solution,” says ATA president Jason Schilling. “It’s teachers and schools once again being forced to hold together a system broken by the misstep and poor decision of the government.” Schilling says the province needs to reconsider the direction it has given school boards throughout negotiations. “So CUPE workers can negotiate a fair collective agreement and return to their important work supporting Alberta students.” On Feb. 26, Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides announced four ministerial orders exempting four school divisions to in-person learning options for students who are supported by an educational assistant during the ongoing strike, allowing students to learn from home. 11-10
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