Members of the Calgary Catholic School District’s (CCSD) support staff decided not to strike despite many wanting to continue to push for a higher, “livable” wage. The decision was made last week when CCSD support staff members – part of Unifor Local Union 1990 – voted 54 per cent against striking and 46 per cent for. "With mixed feelings on the strike vote, we are happy not to interrupt students learning and medical needs that we assist with," read a written statement from local members. "The time and energy we put in to those we work with are taken for granted by some teachers and administrators and at times our efforts are undermined by thoughtless words and actions. We care deeply about the jobs we do and as always we do it for the needs of the students." The support staff members, who have been kept anonymous by the Cochrane Eagle, said they still plan to further convey their frustrations regarding wages and unpaid time off during holidays. "We do hope that the school board trustees and administration realize that support staff feel that they are not valued, both financially and professionally. Support staff positions include school office assistants, administrative secretaries and more. The most current contract for support workers expired on Aug. 31, 2016 but the terms still apply until a new contract is agreed upon. Some of the support staff positions are still being paid $15/hour, a wage which used to be $3 above the provincial minimum wage. For the last five years (three contracts), the support staff has been offered a zero per cent in salary increase from CCSD and for the last two years, there has been no contract at all. Before the vote last week, Tania Van Brunt, CCSD director of communications, told the Cochrane Eagle support staff personnel, who are hourly wage earners, receive compensation based on the job requirements. For example, those earning minimum wage despite having a degree are in roles that don’t require more than a high school diploma and perhaps some certification courses. “I think our hiring and compensation practices are fair,” said Brunt.
