Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation
2317 Arlington Avenue, Saskatoon SK S7J 2H8 Canada
E: stf@stf.sk.ca T: 306-373-1660 or 1-800-667-7762
www.stf.sk.ca

Government Data Proves Supports for Students Are Woefully Insufficient

SASKATOON – Newly released data from the Ministry of Education paints a bleak picture of the supports,
including teachers, that are available for the province’s growing student population. An analysis of the
Government’s Education Sector Staffing Profile, posted online yesterday, and its 2023-24 Provincial K-12
Enrolment Summary shows:• The number of teachers is not keeping pace with the number of students, despite the addition of 218
full-time equivalent teachers this school year.
o Since 2016-17 the student population has grown by more than 15,000 students or 8.8
percent. Yet, FTE teachers only increased by 0.1 percent.
o In 2023-24, Saskatchewan has just 10 more FTE regular classroom teachers than we did in
2016-17, but over 15,000 more students.
*Above includes Sask DLC.

• A further overall decrease of professionals, including counsellors, psychologists and speech-language
pathologists. Saskatchewan lost six specialists from these fields from 2022-23 to 2023-24. Within
this group:
o The decline of counsellors was 14.4 FTE or 7.7 percent.
o The number of specialists who are also certified teachers decreased from 112 in 2022-2023
to 95 in 2023-24, or 15.5 percent.

• English as an additional language teachers saw an increase from 124 to 142, or 14 percent; however,
we are unable to conduct an analysis as government has not released statistics on the number of EAL
students since 2018-19, despite repeated requests.
o Teacher and student experiences report that the number of EAL teachers is still significantly
lower than what is needed to meet students’ needs.
“This further validates what teachers, students and parents are saying about the reality of today’s classrooms.
Students deserve better than this,” says Samantha Becotte, STF President. “Short-changing tomorrow’s
workforce is extremely short-sighted, but Government can choose to fix these issues. It starts by addressing
class size and complexity and guaranteeing long-term, sustainable education funding.”
The bleak picture painted by student enrolment and staffing numbers is further compounded by a changing
student population. Not only is the number of teachers and specialists falling far behind student enrolment
growth, the number of students with intensive needs has grown by more than 38 percent over a 10-year
period (2007-08 to 2018-19).

“The Sask Party Government caused this problem by cutting per student funding so severely that
Saskatchewan dropped from first to eighth place in the country,” said Becotte. “We know each community is
different and requires unique solutions but without proper funding, school boards aren’t able to address these
problems. This is why we want funding for class size and complexity included in our new agreement. This
would give assurance that government will provide the funding and accountability that school boards will
direct towards classroom supports and students’ needs. If they are committed to addressing these issues,
they should have no problem including it in an agreement.”
The STF continues to urge all parents, students, businesses and community members to contact their MLA,
the Minister of Education, Premier Moe and their locally elected school board trustees and ask them to return
to the table and engage in real negotiations.
Data STF used in its analysis can be found in the Education Sector Staffing Profile and the 2023-24 Provincial
K-12 Enrolment Summary.
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 CUPE remains united with teachers to improve public education after years of Sask. Party government underfunding and cuts.

“The Sask. Party has created a crisis in education by their failed record of underfunding and cuts, and now they are failing to negotiate with teachers on the concern we all share with learning conditions. It’s time for the Sask. Party government to end their disrespect and return to the bargaining table ready to meaningfully discuss class size and complexity with the STF. It’s time for the Minister of Education to listen to the concerns of teachers, echoed by thousands of education support staff, students and parents,” said Judy Henley, CUPE Saskatchewan President.

Public education is at a breaking point after years of underfunding and cuts by Scott Moe and the Sask. Party Government. Saskatchewan went from first to second lowest per-student funding in Canada under the Sask. Party government, taking a toll on learning conditions and education staff morale. Teachers, along with CUPE education support workers, have witnessed the impact and are standing up together for the needs of students.

“CUPE education support workers across this province are united with teachers in their demand to address class size and complexity through collective bargaining. The Sask. Party must finally learn a lesson in respect: collective bargaining for working conditions is a right of all workers, and access to improved learning conditions and supports for students is the right thing to do,” said Omar Murray, chair of the CUPE Saskatchewan Education Workers’ Steering Committee.

CUPE represents over 7,000 education support workers in Saskatchewan’s K-12 education system and 31,000 members delivering a variety of public services across the province.

We encourage all CUPE members to show their support for the STF by participating in the online Advocacy Day, sharing posts on social media, or attending an event near you. If you are an education support worker and have questions about how the STF job action might impact you, please reach out to your local union.

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How can we as CUPE members support the teachers?

-the best way to support the teachers is to NOT do any jobs that are currently STF duties. Teaching and Planning classes are the obvious ones, but noon supervision, that an STF member is scheduled for, is another less obvious because our members also do noon supervision. Make sure that you are not picking up any shifts that were formerly a teachers schedule.

-You can also support them by walking the line with them, BUT NOT ON YOUR WORK TIME, you can join a line on your lunch break because that is your free time.

-Snacks and warm drinks are always appreciated

-Just a friendly /kind word that you are supporting them. Someday the tables may be turned and we will want their support.

There have been some questions about what happens if the teachers walk out .

While the teachers are out, the support staff should come to work as normal, unless otherwise directed and you will be paid for the day. You may be given a different assignment, as long as it is within your job description.

Support staff should not take on any duties currently provided by an STF member. An example of duties might include teaching or planning a class.

If you have any questions, please contact me by my personal email. It is not appropriate to answer any questions on the employer’s email system.

Thank you.

OMAR
Pres Local 4754
omar.murray13@outlook.com

We have recently added our local to Union Savings. register and see the deals they offer.

To start click on this link     Union Savings

The Union Savings Program is a not-for-profit union discount program run by Canadian unions, which provides exclusive discounts for union members and their families. It currently works with over 190 unions, locals, and associations across Canada, ranging from large public and private sector unions to small regional and local associations¹. The program is free for unions to join and free for members to use. There are no set-up fees, no administration fees, and no per-member fees. From there, Union Savings works with the unions to develop a promotions strategy¹.

As you have most likely heard, the STF has given a 5 day notice of intention to walk out in an attempt to encourage meaningful bargaining and to allow parents and caregivers a chance to adjust if necessary.

The walk-out is scheduled to happen on Tuesday Jan 16.

Please remember that CUPE stance is not to take on any duties currently provided by an STF member.

Support staff needs to report to work unless given other direction by their employer.  Please make sure that your members are not being directed to do work of other classifications on this day.

Discussions have been held with the STF and they are aware that CUPE members need to report to work and therefore cross any picket lines that may be in place.  We would encourage members to use other doors to enter the school where possible so that physically crossing the line is avoided.  Administrators should be available to walk members across the line if necessary.

If your local receives instructions from the employer that are vastly different that what is in this memo, please contact the EWSC Chair omar.murray13@outlook.com ) or Janice Janzen (jjanzen@cupe.ca) so that we know what is happening around the province.

Media Advisory:  CUPE education workers conference kicks off in Watrous to discuss provincial budget and cuts to education

(Watrous) Over 70 CUPE education workers are gathering in Manitou for their annual conference to discuss the recent provincial budget, growing violence in the workplace, bargaining trends and how cuts are impacting student supports.

Notably absent from the speaker’s list is Minister of Education, Dustin Duncan, who was invited to speak directly with education workers but declined. No one from his office was designated as a replacement.

The conference kicks off on Wednesday with greetings and a presentation from the Ontario School Board Council of Unions (OSBCU). Thursday’s confirmed speakers include Samantha Becotte, President of the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation, Matt Love, NDP MLA and Opposition Education Critic, and Andrėane Chėnier, CUPE National Health and Safety Officer.

CUPE’s annual Education Workers’ Steering Committee conference is taking place from May 3-5, 2023 at Manitou Springs Resort in Watrous.

The media is welcome to attend the conference and media spokespeople will be available for interviews.

CUPE represents close to 7,000 education support workers in the province of Saskatchewan.  Our members are caretakers and maintenance staff who keep your schools clean and safe. They are education assistants, library technicians, and teacher aides who are there every day supporting children as they learn. They are school bus drivers who make sure kids get home from school safely. They are administrative assistants, tech support and many others who make sure the schools run smoothly. They are social workers, nutrition workers, community school coordinators and trained specialists who provide extra support for children with higher needs.

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Contact: Tria Donaldson.306.531.6247

TD/tg/cope491

Media Release: CUPE condemns underfunding of public education – budget breakdown shows most school divisions will face funding shortfalls

REGINA: The Ministry of Education budget breakdown shows that the operational funding for school divisions does not keep up with inflation, and in many cases school divisions will be facing cuts.

“The government is quick to brag that funding for education has never been higher. But an increase of 2.5 percent does not come close to covering inflationary and enrolment increases.  Four school divisions are seeing outright funding cuts at a time where the province has a $1 billion surplus,” said Omar Murray, chair of CUPE Saskatchewan’s Education Workers’ Steering Committee. “It is unacceptable.  Northwest School Division will see a 0.4% cut, Light of Christ, and Holy Family both saw cuts of 1.1% and 0.9% respectively, and Sun West School Division is faced with a whopping 6.2% cut.”

Saskatchewan’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 5.7% from February 2022 to February 2023. Several school divisions received meager funding increases between .03% and 2.5% – well below the rate of inflation. These include Northern Lights School Division, Ile a la Crosse School Division, Prince Albert RCSSD, Saskatchewan Rivers School Division and South East Cornerstone School Division.

“A funding increase that does not keep up with inflation is a cut. The education sector has been starved for funding for years,” added Murray. “The impact this budget will have on the education sector is clear: less supports for students and more stress and uncertainty for those working in the sector.”

CUPE continues to be concerned about the provincial funding for private independent schools. This budget increases funding for private schools to $17.6 million.

“This government continues to neglect the public education sector in favour of private schools and has now launched a questionable online learning crown with a price tag of $23 million. This money could be better utilized supporting the public education system,” said Murray.

CUPE is calling for an end to private school funding, and an immediate increase in education funding.

“As support staff, we have already seen years of layoffs, reduction in hours and loss of specialized supports for students. Education support staff are the heart of our schools, but we can’t keep providing the same levels of support under a government that continues to underfund and undervalue public education. Our government needs to step up with more funding for our children’s future,” concluded Murray.

CUPE represents 7,000 education support workers in the following classifications: education assistants, library assistants and technicians, custodians, tradespeople, school secretaries, bus drivers, social workers and computer technicians, along with many other classifications.

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For more information, please contact:

Tria Donaldson, CUPE communications representative at 306.531.6247.

TD/tg.cope491

Please find the agenda for our upcoming AGM at 2pm on March 25, 2023 at Sidney School in Maple Creek, below:

CUPE 4754 AGM 2023