It’s Time to Push for Real investment in Education from the Provincial Government - And Just Say No to Public Private Partnerships
Edmonton “P3s should be better known as picking the public pocket,” says Trudy Grebenstein, President of CUPE 3550 who represents over 2000 support staff in Edmonton Public Schools. “Like long-term leasing of a car, it will cost more in the end. When and if you finally own it, it’s a run down asset,” she says.
CUPE 3550’s annual budget presentation to the Edmonton Public Schools Board of Trustees also outlines the effect of inadequate support staffing levels on education, the risk of deferring maintenance on our schools and the increasing threat of vouchers in the school system.
“With the provincial government flush with oil revenues it’s time to stand up for investment in education,” says Grebenstein. “Low staffing levels risking the quality of education for our kids and plans are afoot to waste precious taxpayer dollars on public private partnerships.”
CUPE 3550 is calling on trustees to re-double their efforts in pushing the provincial government for real investment in education.
“Trustees are in the best position to represent the interests of parents, students and community members in the governance of our schools,” she said.
“The members of Local 3550 are well aware of the Klein government’s position on funding public education. As education workers, parents and citizens of this great province, we can only say “shame”. It is certain those government royalties’ revenues from oil and gas resources will provide all Albertans with a significant surplus at the end of this fiscal year,” said Grebenstein.
Grebenstein makes the annual budget presentation at 7:15 this evening, (January 28) at the Centre for Education, One Kingsway Ave.
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CUPE is Canada’s largest union with over half a million women and men who provide public services. In Alberta, CUPE’s 31,000 members work in health care, municipalities, schools, colleges, universities, libraries, emergency medical services, social services and casinos. Visit our CUPE websites for more information www.cupe.ca and cupealberta.ab.ca
For further information:
Pam Beattie, CUPE Communications
(780) 484-7644 office or (780) 288-1230 (cellular)
Trudy Grebenstein, President CUPE 3550
(780) 455-1455
Edmonton “P3s should be better known as picking the public pocket,” says Trudy Grebenstein, President of CUPE 3550 who represents over 2000 support staff in Edmonton Public Schools. “Like long-term leasing of a car, it will cost more in the end. When and if you finally own it, it’s a run down asset,” she says.
CUPE 3550’s annual budget presentation to the Edmonton Public Schools Board of Trustees also outlines the effect of inadequate support staffing levels on education, the risk of deferring maintenance on our schools and the increasing threat of vouchers in the school system.
“With the provincial government flush with oil revenues it’s time to stand up for investment in education,” says Grebenstein. “Low staffing levels risking the quality of education for our kids and plans are afoot to waste precious taxpayer dollars on public private partnerships.”
CUPE 3550 is calling on trustees to re-double their efforts in pushing the provincial government for real investment in education.
“Trustees are in the best position to represent the interests of parents, students and community members in the governance of our schools,” she said.
“The members of Local 3550 are well aware of the Klein government’s position on funding public education. As education workers, parents and citizens of this great province, we can only say “shame”. It is certain those government royalties’ revenues from oil and gas resources will provide all Albertans with a significant surplus at the end of this fiscal year,” said Grebenstein.
Grebenstein makes the annual budget presentation at 7:15 this evening, (January 28) at the Centre for Education, One Kingsway Ave.
-30-
CUPE is Canada’s largest union with over half a million women and men who provide public services. In Alberta, CUPE’s 31,000 members work in health care, municipalities, schools, colleges, universities, libraries, emergency medical services, social services and casinos. Visit our CUPE websites for more information www.cupe.ca and cupealberta.ab.ca
For further information:
Pam Beattie, CUPE Communications
(780) 484-7644 office or (780) 288-1230 (cellular)
Trudy Grebenstein, President CUPE 3550
(780) 455-1455