Alberta education support workers continue to work during teachers’ strike

Thousands of support workers at Alberta schools continue to clock in each day during an Alberta teachers' strike. There's work to go around, but it's still an uncertain road ahead.

A stroll around Alberta schoolyards at lunchtime likely won’t yield any laughing students, as a teachers’ strike enters its second day.

While staff parking lots certainly aren’t as full as they were just a week before, with classes in session, they’re not completely empty.

Inside those halls, some work continues — with a cloud of uncertainty hanging over it all.

“The supports we provide to students — but also teachers and principals — is enormous,” explains Tammy Earl, chairperson of the Calgary Board of Education Staff Association.

The association represents roughly 5,000 members, from roles such as educational assistants, administrative staff, lunchroom supervisors, IT professionals, psychologists, and dozens of other job titles.

Earl says all of them continue to clock into work this week. While there are no students filling the classrooms, libraries and lunchrooms, there’s still lots of work to do.

“A lot of them are using this time to upgrade their skills and qualifications and do some professional development,” Earl said.

“The CBE has provided a list of suggested training for support staff to do — brain story certification, mental health learning, first aid topics. There’s a wide variety of things depending on what the job title is.”