Parkland School Division support workers join 6K other Alberta education staff on strike [Video]

Education support staff with the Parkland School Division officially hit picket lines Tuesday, as a weeks-long — or in some cases, months-long — strike by some education staff continues to grow.

The 400 workers in the school district directly west of Edmonton had been engaged in “work-to-rule” action since Feb. 18, which means workers were asked to not work beyond the hours they are paid for and to not engage in volunteer activities.

Parkland School Division workers are now picketing outside schools in Spruce Grove and Stony Plain.

They now join roughly 6,000 other union members from the Fort McMurray, Edmonton, Calgary, Leduc County, Sturgeon County and Okotoks areas. Some have been on strike since Jan. 13.

Most education assistants make between $31,000 and $43,000 a year — barely above minimum wage. That income has been the big sticking point at the bargaining tables.

Canadian Union of Public Employees Alberta president Rory Gills said many members are forced …