Releasing its list of endorsements for the upcoming school board elections in Edmonton, CUPE Local 474 nixed candidates that supported corporate sponsorships, privatization or contracting out.
“The problem is chronic under-funding of education by the Klein government,” said local president Doug Luellman. “As well as forcing parents to raise funds to buy essentials, the Edmonton school board is using the lure of students as a captive audience to sell business sponsorships. This is plain wrong.”
“What we need are trustees who have the intestinal fortitude to lead community opposition against the provincial government and not just juggle budget lines,” said Luellman. “It’s clear the Education Minister counts on funding from bingos, raffles, chocolate sales and corporate contracts. School boards have to choose between selling off students or organizing protests against the government.”