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