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The Government of Alberta says it is stepping in, to provide help to Edmonton Public Schools Division and support workers after a strike notice was served.
CUPE Local 3550, which represents around 3,200 support workers for the Edmonton Public Schools Division says it has severed the strike notice for Thursday, Oct. 24.
READ MORE: Edmonton Public Schools support staff to strike Thursday
“Alberta’s government is providing another mediator to the parties in this dispute so that there is a full opportunity for the parties to reach a negotiated settlement before a work disruption occurs,” said Matt Jones, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade.
However, according to the province, the Disputes Inquiry Board was established before strike or lockout action began, meaning the “union local cannot strike and the employers cannot lock out employees until the inquiry process concludes.”
Negotiations can still take place, and if a settlement cannot be reached, the province says that the board will “make a recommendation for settlement to the Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade.”
That recommendation will then be provided to both parties, and they will both get ten days to respond to the minister.
If that recommendation gets rejected by one or both sides, the Alberta Labour Relations Board conducts a vote of the party that did not accept it. After the vote, if the recommendation is rejected again, then negotiations can resume or a strike/lockout can happen after 72 hours.