CUPE, North East School Division enter mediation over support workers' pay

The union representing education support workers in Saskatchewan has gone to the mediation table with North East School Division over what the union says are lagging wages for members.

In a statement on Thursday, CUPE 4875 said that bargaining with the division on a new collective agreement for members had reached an impasse. Per the Saskatchewan Employment Act, the two parties entered into mandatory mediation.

CUPE represents around 320 members of various classifications in North East School Division, which encompasses the region east of Prince Albert. Their collective agreement expired in August 2022.

Union membership rejected two tentative agreements from prior negotiations, and the union said the outstanding issue is with wages.

“Education support workers play an invaluable role in our education system, providing vital assistance and support to students and teachers alike,” CUPE 4875 president Debbie Dufault said in a news release.

“It is disheartening that their dedication and hard work have not been adequately recognized, with years passing without a significant wage increase.”

CUPE said wages have been “stagnant” for a decade, which is now affecting recruitment and retention among workers.

“Why work as a certified educational assistant for North East School Division for $21.42 an hour when you can go do the same job at Sask. Rivers School Division for $27.08?” Dufault said.

A spokesperson said Thursday that CUPE 4785 members' wages are near the bottom of the provincial wage scale.

They said the union is looking for an offer that sees cost of living adjustments match the rate of inflation, which in Saskatchewan is at 5.2 per cent, according to the consumer price index.

The union indicated it will continue dialogue with the division to “reach a fair and equitable resolution.”

No job action has been called, as both parties remained at the table on Thursday.

The union said that a strike vote has not been presented to membership, but it “may be considered if mediation fails.”