School support staff on Prince Edward Island have recently finalized an agreement with the provincial education system, securing a wage increase aimed at offsetting income losses due to inflation over the past two years. The bargaining process, initiated by CUPE Local 3260, the representative union for support staff, commenced following the expiration of their previous contract in March 2024.
Under the terms of the new deal, employees are slated to receive wage hikes ranging from 18 to 20 percent over a span of three years, coupled with retroactive remuneration. Colleen Jackson, president of CUPE Local 3260, expressed satisfaction with the agreement, albeit emphasizing that there is more work to be done beyond this development.
Support staff play diverse roles within the education system, including providing assistance in youth and mental health services, acting as workplace aides, and more, all now consolidated under a single contract. Jackson underscored the significance of these roles for both students and educators, noting that the absence of such support would impede students’ ability to attend school.
In addition, the revised agreement extends coverage to primary support workers responsible for aiding children in kindergarten to Grade 2 with social and emotional growth. Notably, the negotiations also broached the subject of increasing the daily work hours from six to seven, a demand that was not met in the current deal.
Jackson emphasized the necessity of the additional hour, highlighting its potential to enhance job effectiveness, aid in recruitment and retention efforts, and contribute to reducing instances of violence within school environments. Despite not securing the extra hour in the present negotiation, Jackson confirmed that this issue remains a priority for future rounds of talks.
The ratified contract is slated to take effect at the commencement of the upcoming school year in September. Retroactive payment for the years 2024 and 2025 is scheduled for distribution in October as a lump sum, providing financial relief for the staff members.