About 21 custodians and cleaners in Rolling River School Division, north of Brandon, have voted 93% in favour of strike action – this from CUPE 1630.
Rolling River consists of 17 schools – 8 Elementary Schools, 4 High Schools, 5 Hutterite Colony Schools, and 1 Adult Learning Center.
Meantime, CUPE 1522 says about 300 education assistants, custodians, school librarians, and secretaries at the Lord Selkirk School Division, just north of Winnipeg, are also preparing for job action
In a news release, Karen Sinnock, President of CUPE 1522 says “School support staff at Lord Selkirk School Division have been on the front lines keeping our kids safe throughout the pandemic and have dedicated every moment to supporting the education of our students. Parents and the community know that these workers are valuable, yet the School Board refuses to acknowledge these staff.” CUPE 1522 will be organizing information pickets in the coming weeks to raise awareness across Selkirk about the Board’s refusal to recognize school support staff.
CUPE 1522 and CUPE 1630 are asking for the same four-year deal that teachers across Manitoba received: 1.6%, 1.4%, 0.5%, and cost of living adjustment. 24 locals represented by CUPE have already settled this agreement between school divisions in Manitoba and support staff.
“Staff at Rolling River feel disrespected, undervalued and feel that they deserve nothing less than many other School Division teachers and support staff across Manitoba have received at the bargaining table,” said Kevin Jay, President of CUPE 1630.
Talks are expected to continue this week.
