Parents of children in the Saanich School District are preparing themselves for the increasing likelihood of a strike starting Monday morning, as both union and school district wait for the other side to initiate negotiations.
CUPE 441, the union representing about 500 support staff — education assistants, clerical workers and counsellors — held a special meeting Saturday morning to discuss the current offer on the table, said union president Dean Coates. “We left that meeting in full support of job action.”
Union members are seeking wage parity with surrounding school districts, where staff in similar roles earn higher salaries. The union has cited the pay for an education assistant as an example. In the Saanich School District, an education assistant is paid $21.61 per hour under the last contract, while a similar worker in the Sooke district makes $25.28, and one in the Greater Victoria district is paid $25.20 an hour.
“It’s just a matter of fairness,” Coates said, adding the union has had no contact with the school district since serving strike notice.
District superintendent Dave Eberwein said he was waiting to hear from the union and hoped to speak to a representative on Saturday.
James Taylor, vice-president of the Confederation of Parents’ Advisory Councils of Saanich, said the uncertainty of the potential strike’s duration is making parents anxious.
“My sense is people are prepared for Monday, but there’s the anxiety of how long this will last. There’s only so much time you can call in favours,” Taylor said.
Saanich Parks and Recreation is offering a school closure camp for children aged five to 11 for the week, starting Monday from 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Registration opened Friday morning, and the camps were full by Saturday afternoon.
The Capital Regional District’s Panorama Recreation Centre and Greendale Community Centre are also offering day programs for the week.
Taylor said the parent advisory council has encouraged families to get creative to find childcare solutions, turning to strategies they used during the provincial teacher strike in 2014.
“Parents were taking turns. One parent would host a play date with several kids,” Taylor said. He also suggested older children with babysitting credentials can look after younger kids.
Taylor said parents may miss out on work time and wages, while incurring extra childcare costs during the strike.
