Alberta's government has appointed two Disputes Inquiry Boards to help the Fort McMurray Public and Catholic School Divisions and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Locals 2545 and 2559 reach collective agreements for about 1,065 workers.
CUPE Locals 2545 and 2559 served notice for strike action to begin on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024 at 6 a.m. Because the Disputes Inquiry Boards were established before strike or lockout action began, the union locals cannot strike and the employers cannot lock out employees until the inquiry process concludes.
Negotiations between the parties can occur even while the Disputes Inquiry Boards are in place.
"Alberta's government is providing another mediator to the parties in these disputes so that there is a full opportunity for the parties to reach a negotiated settlement before a work disruption occurs."
Matt Jones, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade
If a settlement cannot be reached in either or both of the disputes, the boards will make recommendations for settlement to the Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade. The recommendations will then be forwarded to both parties, which will have 10 days to notify the minister of their acceptance of the recommendations. If the parties accept the recommendations, they will form part of new collective agreements and the disputes will be settled.
If one or both parties to a dispute does not accept the recommendations, the Alberta Labour Relations Board conducts a vote of the party (or parties) that did not accept them.
If the recommendations are rejected again, the party (or parties) can continue negotiations to reach a settlement, or a strike or lockout action may commence after 72 hours.
