More than 4,000 support staff, from educational assistants to cafeteria workers, have been on strike since mid-January over a wage dispute with the Edmonton Public School Board. Syda Productions/Dreamstime.com

By Canadian Press, CHAT News Staff

EDUCATION

Alberta judge blocks order keeping special needs kids out of class during strike

Feb 20, 2025 | 5:37 PM

An Alberta judge has granted an injunction to block a ministerial order that has prevented children with special needs from attending school as a support strike drags on.

More than 4,000 support staff, from educational assistants to cafeteria workers, have been on strike since mid-January over a wage dispute with the Edmonton Public School Board.

Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides issued an order exempting the board from providing in-person learning to students with complex needs during the strike.

A group of parents and guardians took the province to court over the order, saying more than 3,700 children are being discriminated against by not being allowed to attend classes in person.

The judge says the minister has until Feb. 27 to consider a new ministerial order.

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Canadian Union of Public Employees president Rory Gill says the union is pleased with the decision, calling the minister’s order “unjust and cruel.”

Meanwhile, in Medicine Hat, public school education support workers will be able to vote on a tentative contract if the Labour Relations Board agrees.

The vote was originally delayed after the union’s national leadership removed local leaders from their posts.

The Medicine Hat Public School Division says it’s sought a proposal vote on what board chair Catherine Wilson calls a “fair deal.”

Alberta’s finance minister Nate Horner said last week the union’s leadership is “using tactics of fear and intimidation to prevent deals from being signed.”

The union’s local board was removed by CUPE national less than hour before signing a deal opening the door to a vote on the collective agreement.

CUPE said the new four-year deal, which includes a 12-per-cent wage increase, is invalid.

Medicine Hat’s public school division includes 19 schools, including a pair of high schools, several elementary schools and alternative learning sites.