School support staff vote strongly in favour of job action

School support workers in the Central Okanagan have delivered a powerful vote in favour of job action.

The workers in 46 schools from Peachland and West Kelowna to Kelowna, Lake Country, and the Regional District of Central Okanagan, have voted 99 per cent in favour of backing contract demands with action up to and including a walkout.

CUPE 3523, which represents the more than 1,400 support staff, said a strike deadline has not been set and it is committed to reaching a negotiated deal, but it also says the school district is “pushing concessions” it alleges will erode working conditions and job security.

“For months, the school district has offered nothing to CUPE 3523 members but disrespect,” David Tether, a Central Okanagan Public School support worker and president of CUPE 3523, said. “Students and families depend on our members every day. Schools run on the services we provide. But the school district in undermining those services by pushing concessions that would erode working conditions and job security of school support workers.”

Staff involved range from education assistants, grounds workers and Indigenous support workers to bus drivers, custodians, library assistants and early childhood educators in the program that deliver early learning development to ensure kindergarten readiness.

“Since we started bargaining in October, School District 23 has been unwilling to put in the work to reach a fair deal. They have cancelled bargaining sessions, come unprepared to have serious discussions, and refused to agree on any proposals,” Tether, who is a member of the CUPE 3523 bargaining committee, said. “CUPE 3523 is serious about reaching a fair agreement that respects school support workers and will let us keep serving Central Okanagan public school students. Time is running out for School District 23 to show they are serious, too.”

(The Canadian Press)