This week Saskatchewan education workers are gathering in Yorkton for their annual Education Workers’ Steering Committee (EWSC) conference. On the agenda are funding shortfalls, harassment, and violence in the workplace. Bargaining strategy is also being discussed as many locals throughout the province prepare for negotiations on the heels of job actions by their colleagues in northern Alberta.
President of CUPE Saskatchewan Kent Peterson addressed the conference the first day, outlining the advocacy that CUPE Saskatchewan has been doing on behalf of education workers. “We will continue to join with you to demand better for workers, students, and families from Scott Moe and his government,” Peterson vowed. “Education funding is a core function of the provincial government, and it’s not good enough for Scott Moe to pass the buck by blaming school divisions or the federal government. It’s his job, and he should do it.”
Director of Education and CEO of Good Spirit School Division Quintin Robertson brought a message of support, talking about the importance of the work done by CUPE education workers. Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Education Minister Matt Love also appeared, pointing out that at one time Saskatchewan led the country in education funding. Ten years later, Saskatchewan now trails the country in financial funding for education.
The committee also provided the shadow minister with a petition to bring to the Saskatchewan Legislature demanding the Saskatchewan government take steps to fill the gaps left by the loss Jordan’s Principle funding.
Safe and productive classrooms were also front of mind. Brianna Dellezay, from Saskatchewan Behaviour Consulting presented on How To De-Escalate Behaviour. Another highlight of the conference was the launch of the steering committee’s Strength In Numbers campaign, aimed at negotiating common issues across the province as collective agreements expire and bargaining begins.
“The goal of the conference this year was really to bring information that our delegates wouldn’t have heard before, so we really consciously searched out speakers and information that would be new,” said Karla Sastaunik, chairperson of the Education Workers’ Steering Committee. “When we know better, we do better, and we can build a committee that works for all education workers in this province.”
CUPE represents over 7,500 education workers across Saskatchewan. Our members are caretakers and maintenance staff who keep 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 people 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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