With the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) announcement of further job action and an Advocacy Day on Thursday, February 1, 2024, 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.

Click here register for the STF Advocacy Day.

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The unions representing inside and outside municipal workers at the City of Prince Albert were notified that over 20 CUPE positions across the organization will be eliminated.

During recent budget deliberations, the city assured the public that their primary goal was to minimize tax impacts on residents without compromising existing services,” said Cara Stelmaschuk, recording secretary of CUPE 882. “No one saw these layoffs coming, and it flies in the face of what both workers and the public were told during budget deliberations.”

All city workers have been offered a buy-out to incentivize early retirement. The union is worried that staffing reductions will have a negative impact on municipal services.

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The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation has announced a one-day province-wide strike on Tuesday, January 16. CUPE Saskatchewan stands with the STF and supports their demands to negotiate on class size and complexity, and to fight for better working conditions and wages.

CUPE represents over 7,000 workers in Saskatchewan’s K-12 education system. We encourage our members to show their support for the STF by 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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Are you interested in serving on a Standing Committee of CUPE Saskatchewan? Further your union involvement and activism – apply today!

Applications are being accepted for the following vacant position:

• LGBTQ2+ member – Committee Against Racism & Discrimination

Apply by January 26, 2024. Click here to complete the CUPE SK Standing Committee Application for Appointment Form. CUPE members in good standing of affiliated Local Unions who identify as LGBTQ2+ are eligible to apply.

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CUPE education support workers, the frontline professionals working closely with complex needs students, are expressing significant reservations following the recent announcement by the Sask. Party government regarding the introduction of “specialized support” classrooms.

“This announcement has sparked concerns amongst our members, as there was a lack of consultation and justification for the selective inclusion of certain school divisions, leaving a vast majority of students without any tangible support,” said Omar Murray, chairperson of the CUPE Saskatchewan Education Workers’ Steering Committee. “As the backbone of student support services, education workers are alarmed at the absence of clear information regarding additional resources and funding to sustain these initiatives.”

CUPE education support workers emphasize the urgency of addressing the broader issues within the education system, such as chronic underfunding and resource shortages, which have a direct impact on the quality of support provided to students. The reduction in funding to school boards and the elimination of crucial resources, including psychologists and counsellors, have created a challenging environment for both students and staff.

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