Members of the CUPE Saskatchewan Education Workers’ Steering Committee (EWSC) gathered outside Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Ken Cheveldayoff’s office today to deliver hundreds of valentines urging the provincial government to make meaningful investments in public education in the 2026 provincial budget.
“For more than a decade, underfunding has pushed Saskatchewan’s education system into crisis,” said Kent Peterson, president of CUPE Saskatchewan. “Chronic underfunding means fewer staff, fewer resources, and impossible workloads.”
Karla Sastaunik, chair of the EWSC, emphasized that today’s action – delivering valentines to the Minister – symbolizes the care and commitment education support workers bring to their jobs every day, even as they face worsening conditions.
“Education support workers are central to inclusive education. We are the people who help students succeed every day. Yet our roles are being steadily undermined by years of neglect and underinvestment,” said Sastaunik. “It’s time for this government to prioritize our children, our schools, and the education workers who support students in every part of school life. This means real investment, real staffing, and real respect for the work that we do.”
The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour also attended to show solidarity with education workers across the province.
“We are calling for significant investment in education in the 2026 provincial budget – investment that ensures education workers have the staffing levels, resources, and fair wages they need to do their jobs and support students properly,” said Lori Johb, president of the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour. “Education workers deserve respect, fairness, and real action now.”
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