The union that represents 36,000 public sector workers in Alberta, including those employed by school boards, says Edmonton Public Schools is laying off thousands of support staff on Friday. “Today, Edmonton Public Schools will lay off over 2,100 support staff,” CUPE Alberta President Rory Gill said.
Gill said the district has to cut $90 million from its funding in September due to the March provincial budget. “Depending on a few variables, between 600-800 support staff will not return” in the fall, Gill said.
The union says 7,500 school support staff across Alberta have been given layoff notices, with many districts still to announce their numbers.