On the day the Legislature opened for its fall sitting and the provincial government delivered its throne speech, hundreds of CUPE members and concerned Saskatchewan residents rallied in opposition to the far-reaching consequences of the 2017 provincial budget. Rally participants called on the provincial government to reverse its harmful cuts and stop the privatization of Crowns and public services.
Our children lose with education cuts
Jackie Christianson, Chair, CUPE Education Workers Steering Committee
In a letter to the editor published in today’s Saskatoon StarPhoenix, Jackie Christianson, Chair of the CUPE Saskatchewan Education Workers Steering Committee, writes that during Education Week we could put student’s first by reversing provincial budget cuts to education.
CUPE represents over 7,100 educations workers in Saskatchewan, and we will continue to fight against the cuts to education that not only affect us now but will affect our future generations.
Read the letter here: http://thestarphoenix.com/opinion/letters/letter-of-the-day-our-children-lose-with-education-cuts
Aboriginal Council Conference 2017
The annual CUPE Saskatchewan Aboriginal Council Conference will be held on October 23 and 24, 2017, at the Event Centre, Gold Eagle Casino, in North Battleford, SK. This year’s conference theme is: Celebrating Our Successes, highlighting the advances made and change achieved through activism.
Media Advisory: Grassroots group to CEO of Saskatoon Libraries – close the book on restructuring
SASKATOON: Concerned community members, city workers, and supporters of libraries will be staging a rally at City Hall in opposition to anticipated cuts to Saskatoon libraries.
ADVISORY: Education Workers Steering Committee Annual Conference 2017
MOOSE JAW: CUPE Education Workers Steering Committee will be hosting their annual conference in Moose Jaw from Thursday, October 12, 2017, to Saturday, October 14, 2017, at Temple Gardens Mineral Spa.
Mayor of Moose Jaw Fraser Tolmie, in addition to Deputy Minister of Education Rob Currie, CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer Charles Fleury, and Saskatchewan Federation of Labour President Larry Hubich will be in attendance.
The conference will focus on stress in the workplace, under staffing, cuts to education and how it affects the public.
CUPE Saskatchewan supports the leaders of tomorrow in Tisdale, SK
TISDALE, SK – CUPE Saskatchewan was on hand today to support the leaders of tomorrow and serve lunch for the nearly 800 participants of the Saskatchewan Student Leadership Conference (SSLC) 2017 which wrapped up today in Tisdale, SK. The two and a half-day conference was held from September 20 – 22, 2017, at the Tisdale Middle & Secondary School in the North East School Division, bringing together young leaders with 200 advisors and inspirational guest speakers.
Patricia Gausman, President of CUPE Local 4875 representing school support workers in the North East School Division, welcomed the student leaders on behalf of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, encouraging students to consider leadership opportunities in their schools, communities, and in their future workplaces.
CUPE Saskatchewan endorses Hancock and Fleury for re-election as National Officers
Mark Hancock, National President (left) & Charles Fleury, National Secretary-Treasurer (right). CUPE Saskatchewan endorses incumbent National Officers for re-election.
The Executive Board of CUPE Saskatchewan has endorsed incumbents Brother Mark Hancock for re-election as National President, and Brother Charles Fleury for re-election as National Secretary-Treasurer, ahead of the elections to be held for National Officers at the upcoming CUPE National Convention in Toronto on October 2 to 6, 2017, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Brother Mark Hancock was first elected National President in November 2015, following two terms as president and four terms as secretary-treasurer of CUPE BC. Mark Hancock is the 6th National President of CUPE. Hancock became a CUPE member in 1984, and served fifteen years as president of Local 498 representing Port Coquitlam Municipal Employees.
Brother Charles Fleury has been the National Secretary-Treasurer since 2011. Fleury became an active member of CUPE 35 years ago, when he started working for Hydro-Québec.
In addition to the election of National Officers, positions on the CUPE National Executive Board will also be elected at the upcoming National Convention 2017. The CUPE Saskatchewan Annual Convention has endorsed Sister Judy Henley for re-election as General Vice-President and Brother Tom Graham for re-election as Regional Vice-President on the CUPE National Executive Board. Henley is the Secretary-Treasurer of CUPE Saskatchewan Division, and Graham is the President of CUPE Saskatchewan Division.
Rally to Reverse The Cuts: October 25, 2017 (Regina, SK)
Rally at the Legislature on October 25, 2017.
11:30 a.m. MARCH FROM ROYAL SASK MUSEUM
12:00 p.m. (NOON) RALLY AT THE LEGISLATURE
As the legislature resumes for the fall sitting, let’s continue to stand against cuts, rollbacks, waste, scandal and mismanagement.
Join us as we rally in solidarity with other unions and concerned residents of Saskatchewan.
CUPE statement regarding the death of a student at École Dundonald in Saskatoon, SK:
“As education workers, we are deeply invested in the well-being of the communities we serve every day,” said Scott Barrett, President of CUPE Local 8443. “As the President of the CUPE local that represents workers at École Dundonald, I want to be very clear that we stand with the family affected by this tragedy. We stand with our community today and are thinking about the children, parents, and staff who are grieving right now. We also want to be very clear that this tragedy isn’t about cuts — in fact, this school was one of the lucky ones that didn’t receive any cuts this year, so far. Instead, right now it is about us coming together as a community to support everyone affected by this tragedy, and to find ways to do better so that this cannot happen again.”
“Our thoughts today are with the family who is grieving the loss of their young child,” said Tom Graham, President of CUPE Saskatchewan. “At some point, you have to look across partisan lines and look for solutions in a spirit of collaboration. I would say that now is definitely one of those times.”
CUPE members welcome students to new school year
REGINA: A new school year begins today across Saskatchewan, and CUPE represented education support staff are welcoming new and returning students to their first day of classes.
“CUPE education workers are facing a challenging year ahead of us. With a 6.5 per cent increase in student enrollment and over $500 less per student to educate them, our education workers are going to have to find creative solutions to continue the level of care we are accustomed to delivering,” said Jackie Christianson, chair of the CUPE Education Workers’ Steering Committee. “Our government cut more than $54 million, and this will make it more difficult for us to continue to help with the first day jitters and make time at school a successful and safe experience. CUPE education workers are dedicated to supporting the learning of all Saskatchewan students throughout the school year, and we will continue to provide the best possible learning environments for our province’s future.”