School support staff on Prince Edward Island have successfully concluded negotiations with the provincial education system, securing a wage hike to offset inflationary losses over the past two years. Represented by CUPE Local 3260, the union has been in talks since their previous contract expired in March 2024.
The new agreement guarantees support staff members an increase in wages ranging from 18 to 20 percent over a three-year period, inclusive of retroactive pay. Colleen Jackson, the president of CUPE Local 3260, expressed satisfaction with the deal but emphasized the need for further improvements.
According to Jackson, the wage increase is a significant boost for their members, although she acknowledged that more work lies ahead beyond this initial progress. The roles fulfilled by support staff, which encompass various responsibilities such as aiding students with medical, behavioral, and academic needs, are critical for the functioning of schools.
The agreement now consolidates different support roles, including youth and mental health workers and workplace assistants, under one unified contract. Jackson highlighted the essential nature of these roles, noting that without them, students would struggle to attend school effectively.
In addition to existing roles, the contract extension encompasses primary support workers catering to kindergarten to Grade 2 students for social and emotional development. Jackson revealed that currently, the Public Schools Branch employs two workers in this capacity.
One of the key demands put forth by the union during negotiations was the inclusion of a seventh working hour per day instead of the standard six hours. However, the finalized deal did not incorporate this additional hour. Jackson explained that despite the omission, the focus was on providing immediate financial relief to members in need.
Looking ahead, the union aims to address the need for longer work hours in future negotiation rounds. Jackson stressed that the current six-hour workday falls short in meeting the demands of the job, with plans to pursue the addition of an extra hour for improved efficiency and effectiveness.
The new contract is slated to take effect at the start of the upcoming school year in September. Retroactive pay for 2024 and 2025 will be disbursed in a lump sum in October. The inclusion of the extra working hour remains a priority for future negotiations to enhance staff collaboration, support recruitment and retention efforts, and contribute to a safer school environment through increased time for planning and coordination.