A two-day strike by Calgary Board of Education (CBE) support staff this week could be the first of several walkouts. The strike, on June 3 and 4, involved 3,500 workers ranging from psychologists to lunchroom supervisors. The CBE Staff Association, the union representing the workers, opted for a short strike, but since the union remains in a legal strike position, it could call for another walkout at any time.

The union is also asking the board to provide assurances their members’ hours aren’t cut, says staff association manager Bill Flookes, “Where we’re really far apart is how people are treated,” he says.

According to Flookes, the CBE often hires workers based on a certain job description then adds other duties later on. In an effort to save funds, the board has also cut workers’ hours back. This has caused some workers, included a much sought-after sign-language interpreter, to quit, Flookes says. Wages are also an issue in the strike.

Christine Meikle and Emily Follensbee schools, which both serve high-needs disabled students, were closed for the duration of the strike. Other schools stayed open.

Support staff rejected a four-year deal with a five per cent wage hike offered by the CBE. Talks between the two sides are stalled. If there’s no resolution, the dispute could drag on into the 2008-2009 school year and lead to another strike.

The CBE could not be reached by press time. (AM)