FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are our bargaining items?

Local 5047’s proposals cover:

  • Benefits
  • Overtime
  • Breaks
  • Professional Development

Provincial proposals cover:

  • wages (three year contract, $3, $1, $1 wage adjustments for every year of the contract, and a $2 retention bonus applied immediately) ($2 retention bonus does not apply to CUPE 5047 as it is for individuals who make less than $26/hr.)
  • Increasing leave entitlements
  • language addressing violence in the workplace, including staffing, training, and incident reporting.

What will strike pay be?

  • $350 for 4 hours of picketing, 5 days a week.

Where will I be picketing?

  • Locations are chosen for strategic advantage while recognizing our members live and work across a large area. Members will have a choice of where to picket among the locations determined.

What happens if I cross the picket line and continue to work for the employee during a strike?

  • Members can file complaints against others who participate in strike-breaking (continuing to work for the employer during a strike) activities. This is outlined in Appendix F of the CUPE National Constitution, which our local is bound.
  • Continuing to work during a strike can create unease between co-workers and prolongs a strike.

If I have a child with a disability who won’t be attending school if we are on strike, I can’t imagine how I can picket. What can I do?

  • There will be other ways to contribute to our strike action to be able to receive strike pay, you will need to apply for accommodations BEFORE the strike begins.

What happens if I’m on medical leave and a strike happens?

  • Currently, we are uncertain how it will work. Last time members on medical leave remained on medical leave during the strike. We are anticipating it will be the same this time.

Will I still have access to medical benefits during job action?

  • Yes, but we do suggest that members complete urgent dental work and refill prescriptions in January before a potential strike begins in the event that there are any complications.

I feel like last time we were on strike, our concerns were not heard by the employer and we really didn’t reach the outcome we were looking for. What’s different this time?

  • One key difference is that, this time, all eight school support worker union locals are bargaining the exact same issues with the provincial government. This strengthens our bargaining position greatly.
  • Another key difference is substitute school support workers are now union members. The employer will not be as readily able to fill gaps during a job action by employing substitutes.

I use public transit to get to work. If we strike, I am concerned about transportation to picket sites, especially if I’m expected to report to different locations.

  • Our Picketing Pillar team is developing a plan for picketing locations and an overall strategy informed by the experiences of our last strike. Members will be invited to select their top three picketing sites from a list of sites determined by the Picketing Pillar team.Members who are unable to reach picketing sites due to any kind of transportation issues should contact the Picketing Pillar at pccupe5047@gmail.com