Edmonton Public Schools requests inquiry board, delaying strike and union reach deal [Video]

The province has appointed a Disputes Inquiry Board (DIB) to help the Edmonton Public School Board (EPSB) and its support workers’ union to reach an agreement.

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The strike notice by CUPE Local 3550 was served on Friday and would have taken place on Thursday. EPSB Superintendent Darrel Roberston said the division applied to the Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade for a DIB, a neutral third-party process that helps both sides come to an agreement.

Since the DIB was made before the strike started, the union isn’t allowed to strike and employers can’t lockout employees until the inquiry is concluded, the province said in a news release Tuesday.

The province says negotiations can continue between the two parties, even while the DIB is in place. However, if an agreement can’t be made, the board will make a recommendation for settlements …