Alberta NDP criticizes UCP government over potential school support worker strike [Video]

Alberta’s Opposition NDP is calling on the provincial government to act as thousands of school support workers prepare to walk off the job in Edmonton and some nearby communities.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees said picket lines are to go up at 7:30 a.m. on Monday at three public high schools in Edmonton and all schools in the Sturgeon Public School Division.

The union is demanding fair wages for the more than 3,000 education support workers it represents in both divisions. Counterparts in Fort McMurray began picketing earlier this week.

Education support workers include education assistants, librarians, cafeteria workers and administration staff.

“It is unconscionable for the (United Conservative Party) government to continue to underfund education and allow EAs to not be adequately compensated for the important and demanding work they do to ensure all of our kids have access to the education they need and deserve,” Opposition NDP …