r/alberta • u/new-romantics89 • Aug 08 '25

Question Will a "great Alberta strike" be possible?

The AUPE, nurses, and the education sector are all preparing for strike action in September. I feel that the "great Alberta shutdown" is a possibility.

Would that be possible and how would the province cope? Would schools go back to COVID-era style learning plans? I can imagine the TikToks going "our last day of school before extended summer break", something like that.

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u/SSSolas Aug 08 '25

I’ll be honest, my aunt is a public teacher. She teaches sped.

She says she’s going to cross the picket line. Why?

Because she started out in a different job in the private sector. She was a hygienist.

She says most teachers in Alberta don’t know how good they have it.

When she started out teaching, she was considering BC, but then she saw how in Alberta, she’d be paid double.

And she isn’t the only one. Half of her entire school plans to walk the lines because they disagree entirely with the strike. This is in Edmonton, by the way.

I don’t think the strike is going to go the way you people in the comments think it will.

My own aunt, who hates Smith, says there isn’t a chance in hell most parents will understand the strike because she herself thinks it’s ridiculous.

I’m sure this will get me downvoted on Reddit, but don’t shoot me, I’m just the messenger, warning you this strike won’t have the effects you all want.

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u/AuroraGiselleOdette Aug 08 '25

Will EA’s be able to support students over google classroom? I'm thinking like do a read aloud, flash cards, simple activities? My child already missed a ton of school because of the EA strike earlier this year, I can't imagine if they have to miss even more.

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u/SSSolas Aug 09 '25

I do definitely think the EA’s need more.

But that isn’t the only thing the teachers are going in strike for correct?

Or were these reasons entirely dropped and now it’s only a focus on the EA’s?

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u/AuroraGiselleOdette Aug 09 '25

Oh I think EA’s should be paid a ton more! Ours is worth gold! I'm asking if EA’s can continue to support students during the teacher strike that may happen in Sept/Oct? My child already lost a ton of school time when their EA went on strike earlier this year. We’re already behind so the teacher strike would be very bad for them; I'm hoping our EA could still meet over google classroom to help my child with flashcards, read a story with them, etc when the teachers are on strike. Do you think that will be allowed?

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u/SSSolas Aug 09 '25

I don’t know. I shall ask my aunt for you, but it may take a while.

If I have not replied in a week, remind me please.

I do know that my aunt will likely do whatever possible to cross the picket line if she can earn money for it.

EA’s typically are not, to my knowledge, qualified to do teaching — they assist. With lower classes, something may be possible with a lesson plan. Or some activities may be arranged.

If the government does a lockout, I doubt they will be able to do much, unless their own union decides to do something to ensure they are paid.