Central Okanagan school support workers overwhelmingly support job action

Photo: pixabay

School support workers in the Central Okanagan have voted overwhelmingly in support of job action.

Members of CUPE 3523, which represents over 1,400 SD23 employees, voted 99 per cent in favour of job action, such as a strike, in a vote held over the weekend.

“For months, the school district has offered nothing to CUPE 3523 members but disrespect,” says David Tether, a Central Okanagan Public School support worker and president of CUPE 3523.

“Students and families depend on our members every day – schools run on the services we provide. But the school district is undermining those services by pushing concessions that would erode working conditions and job security of school support workers.”

The vote gives the union the ability to strike with 72-hour notice. That strike deadline has not been set and the union says it remains “committed to reaching a fair collective agreement at the bargaining table.”

“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,” says Tether.

“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.”

A strike would result likely in the closure of schools across the Central Okanagan, as unionized teachers will not cross picket lines.

Susan Bauhart, president of the Central Okanagan Teachers' Association, told Castanet last week they support CUPE in their bargaining efforts.

"COTA members value what CUPE do in our schools, and beyond," Bauhart said. "We value it to the nth degree and support them in whatever they are going through."

CUPE 3523's 1,400 members work in 46 Central Okanagan schools other learning environments as education assistants, grounds workers, Indigenous support workers, bus drivers, custodians, trades, clerical workers, maintenance workers, information technology support, administrative support, noon-hour supervisors, SWIS workers, library assistants, early childhood educators and strong start facilitators.