CBC

Fort McMurray school support worker strike is officially over, as members ratify deal

CBC

Tue, March 18, 2026 at 11:52 a.m. GMT+9·1 min read

More than 4,000 education support staff have been on strike in Fort McMurray and in the Edmonton region since the beginning of January. Workers in Fort McMurray ratified a new contract on Monday. (David Bajer/CBC - image credit)

Fort McMurray education support workers approved a new contract and will return to work Wednesday.

In a statement released Monday night, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) said members ratified agreements with the Fort McMurray Public and Fort McMurray Catholic school districts. It comes after 1,000 members in Fort McMurray walked off the job in mid-November.

CUPE spokesperson Lou Arab said the union will not be releasing detailed results of the vote. The details of the collective agreement will become publicly available in the coming days.

Workers at Edmonton Public Schools will hold a ratification vote on Tuesday and could return Wednesday or Thursday.

Workers are still waiting for a deal in the Calgary, Sturgeon, Parkland, Foothills and Black Gold school divisions.