Bargaining between CUPE 8443, representing education support workers with Saskatoon Public Schools, and the employer has reached an impasse, with wages remaining the central issue.
“This is about being paid fairly for the work our members do every day,” said Dene Nicholson, CUPE 8443 president. “Education support workers are among the lowest paid workers in the school system, but schools depend on us. Costs keep going up and our wages just aren’t keeping up.”
CUPE 8443 filed for impasse with the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety on April 30, 2026.
“Our bargaining team remains committed to achieving a fair and reasonable collective agreement for our members – one that includes equitable wage increases reflecting the value of the work education support workers do,” said Nicholson. “We’re hopeful that mediation can help move things forward and close the gap.”
No mediation dates have been set.
CUPE 8443 represents close to 1,500 education support workers who support students and keep Saskatoon Public Schools running every day.
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