Written by 
The ongoing strike of school support workers in Edmonton means students with special needs can’t be in class, although they want to.
Student such as Vienna Lewin, who was born with down syndrome and autism. Vienna is in grade twelve and attends Eastglen High School in east Edmonton
Her parents Joel and Jennifer Lewin say she loves Cree and Indigenous studies, dancing, and Girl Guides.
“She’s definitely a rewarding kid,” said Joel. “She likes to travel; she likes to experience new things.”
Up until Monday, she had support staff with her at school all day. However, the strike across Edmonton and Fort Mcmurray means no school for Vienna.
To make up for lost school, her dad is working from home more. Her mom has a disability and can’t work. Both still have the full time-job it takes to care for their daughter. It has challenges but they are adapting at least in the short term.
“It is stressful for us to try to figure out how to manage what could be weeks.” said Joel.
Thousands of support staff in Edmonton schools walked off the job demanding more pay. The Canadian Union of Public Employees says the average salary is $34,500 a year.
In a statement Wednesday, the union says there are no updates to negotiations and doesn’t expect one soon.
“There is no update on negotiations, and we don’t expect one soon as the provincial government still refuses to recognise the impact of having the lowest funded school system in Canada,” said Lou Arab, spokesperson for The Canadian Union of Public Employees.
“Educational support workers have not had a meaningful wage increase in ten years, a period of 30% inflation. Poor wages have led to a 10% shortage of staff at Edmonton public alone. If the government doesn’t act soon, this strike will continue and will spread to other school districts soon.”
The group ‘Inclusion Alberta’ says the province and school divisions should ensure any supply teachers or anyone not teaching are assigned to schools so that everyone can attend class.
The Lewin’s sympathize with the support staff because they know how challenging it can be.
“There’s a lot of physical challenges, trying to navigate Vienna’s non-verbal cues, it takes skill, takes time to understand her, and it takes training,” said Joel.
The lack of help is still putting a damper on their daughter’s final year of school.
“We want Vienna to be part of those things, part of the culture of her school, and her community,” said Joel. “By potentially missing out on those things, she’s going to miss out on those memories for herself and those experiences.”